Back the smoking ban

Clearing the air

Smoking is the biggest threat to the health of our nation. Over 500 people in Renfrewshire die from tobacco use and around 40 people who have never smoked die from effects of passive smoking.

 It is time for Scotland to kick this unhealthy habit and ditch the tag of the ‘sick man of Europe’. From next Sunday Scotland will be Smoke Free and I for one look forward to the end of murky, pub corners wreathed in smoke and to the family friendly “locals” of the future. It will be illegal to smoke in most indoor places. The smoking ban will affect restaurants, pubs, hotels, church halls, sports centres, private clubs and the law also covers almost all work places. So unless you carry out your job in your own home or someone else’s home or in one of the exempted premises smoking at work will be against the law. If you feel the ban is being flouted and you want to report it, firstly contact your manager and then call 0845 130 7250 and local environmental health officers will follow up any complaints.The introduction of the ban will make life more inconvenient for smokers. The Scottish Executive hopes the ban will encourage all Scots to kick the habit. If you are a smoker and want to try and give up telephone Scotland’s Smokeline on 0800 84 84 84 or contact your local GP for advice on quitting.

Long term exposure to tobacco smoke increases the risk of lung cancer and coronary heart disease by a quarter and causes significant problems for children. As a new mother I am acutely aware Scotland will become a whole lot more baby and child friendly and adults will benefit too. Our kids can be out and about and free from the hazards of smoke and I am urging all buddies to back the ban.

Rail Link

The Glasgow Airport Rail Link bill has been submitted to the Scottish Parliament and is now being considered by a Parliamentary committee. As the local MSP I can’t sit on the committee but some constituents have contacted me to ask what does this mean for Paisley. Glasgow airport is a major employer and brings a great deal of business to Renfrewshire. The new link is expected to bring 650 jobs to the area over the next 10 years and bring an additional 700 jobs to Paisley town centre once the link starts operating. Train links between Paisley and Glasgow will be greatly improved. Paisley Gilmour Street will act as a key interchange for the airport rail link by providing access for passengers from the south and west. All trains will stop here which provides Paisley with an extra four trains per hour to and from Glasgow. During construction St James Playing Fields will be slightly disrupted but SPT are committed to providing 22 pitches during this period. Once completed 20 pitches will be provided on the current site with another 2 nearby. The pavilion will be moved and replaced with modern facilities and all of the pitches will be of league standard. There are many who feel strongly on both sides of the argument. If you would like to find out more on the project visit www.spt.co.uk/garl or if you or your business will be affected by the link and if you wish to lodge an objection visit www.scottish.parliament.uk and go to committees section, private bills committees and click on the Glasgow Airport Rail Link section.