I'm surprised that no-one has mentioned the recently published Scottish health figures in this debate (unless, of course, I have missed it)

News report

I know there are lies, damned lies and statistics but, even allowing for the most over-generous interpretation, the figures surely speak for themselves. Over the last few years, hospital admissions for heart attack victims have been falling at around 3% a year. In a year where the only significant social change has been the smoking restrictions, there has been a 17% overall reduction heart attack hospital admissions. For non-smokers the figure goes up to 20%.

I would expect an improvement for smokers who either give up or reduce the amount they smoke because of the restrictions. However, if second-hand smoke had no effect then I would expect the rate among non-smokers to remain much the same. The fact that there is such a significant reduction amongst this group, to my mind, proves the case for the restrictions.

Keeping pubs open shouldn't depend on killing people.

DC