Smoking law changes

Smoking will be banned in enclosed public spaces in Scotland from next March. But if you ruled the Country, what other law would you pass on smoking?

Dr Peter Terry, chairman of BMA Scotland

The current restrictions on tobacco advertising and promotion prevents the tobacco manufacturing industry directly advertising to recruit new smokers to replace those who die from smoking-related illnesses. However, by continuing to show smoking in films and TV programmes, young people are still being influenced to start smoking and those who have given up are encouraged to start again. All use of tobacco promotion, whether direct or indirect, should be banned. Young people should not be encouraged to take up a habit that kills and destroys so many families in Scotland.

Neil Rafferty, spokesman for Forest (Freedom Organisation for the Right to Enjoy Smoking Tobacco)

I would have a law that gives real choice to more people. We could introduce state-of-the-art ventilation systems in pubs that clean the smoky air. We could make sure that at least 50% of the pub floorspace is non-smoking. You could even ban smoking at the bar. That's what they do in most European countries and it works well.

Katie Sharp, 16, Edinburgh

I would pass a law forcing tobacco companies to give money to cancer and heart-disease charities. By giving money to organisations such as Cancer Research, the profits these companies make would benefit people with various illnesses, not just those with smoking related diseases. All the cash cigarette companies spend on advertising should be given to charity.

Reduced advertising would make teenagers less likely to buy cigarettes, as I think young people are most easily swayed by advertisements.

Ian Campbell, 17, Edinburgh

I would keep the legal smoking age at 16, but raise the age when it is legal to buy cigarettes to 18. You would have to get someone over 18 to buy cigarettes for you, such as an older friend or your parents. It would make smoking a lot less cool if your mum or dad had to buy cigarettes for you. If you were under 18, you would only be able to smoke at home, and if you were caught smoking in public, you would get an on-the-spot fine.

Sophie Clark, 15, Edinburgh

Smokers should be prevented from receiving lung transplants before non-smokers. The dangers of smoking are advertised to such an extent that smokers realise the damage cigarettes will cause before they light up. Who's to say an addicted smoker won't continue smoking after a transplant? Nonsmokers shouldn't lose out on a lung to a smoker who knew the consequences of their actions.