EXPOSURE to second-hand smoke is down by 96% in Scotland since the introduction of the smoke-free legislation in March 2006, however some workers remain at risk of being exposed to it.
Research from the University of Stirling comes on the 20th anniversary of the ban’s introduction and shows that although there has been an incredibly high reduction in those exposed to second-hand smoke, risks remain in workplaces that are not fully covered by legislation, such as outdoor hospitality and private homes visited by care workers.
The study led by Professor Sean Semple, part of the University of Stirling’s institute for social marketing and health, analysed data across 26 years (between 1998 and 2024) from the Scottish Health Survey to examine salivary cotinine, which is a biomarker that measures recent tobacco smoke exposure in non-smoking adults.
The research found that the most significant and quickest decline occurred in the years immediately after the legislation came into effect in 2006.
Improvements have slowed since 2011 though, with almost a quarter of non-smoking adults having measurable levels of cotinine in 2024 which indicates ongoing second-hand smoke exposure at any time.
Professor Semple said: “Scotland should be immensely proud of this achievement, and we should celebrate our success in clearing the air and improving health for the millions of people who previously had to breathe second-hand smoke at work and in leisure settings.
“We’ve had 20 years now where the majority of people in Scotland no longer breathe the toxins from cigarette smoke during their daily lives.
“But nearly a quarter of non-smokers are still exposed to tobacco smoke, and many of these exposures are happening at work – particularly in outdoor hospitality, transport settings and during visits to private homes.
“No one should be forced to breathe in tobacco smoke while doing their job.
“Although exposure levels today are typically much lower than before 2006, repeated low-level exposure still carries health risks.
“If we want to achieve Scotland’s ambition of reducing smoking to below five per cent by 2034, we need renewed focus on protecting workers and tackling the widening inequalities in home exposure.”
The research also looked at smoking rules inside homes between 2012 and 2024 and found a 15% increase of smoke-free households – an estimated 380,000 additional smoke-free homes across Scotland.
With the inequality gap widening however, homes in the most deprived areas are now more than 10 times more likely to allow smoking inside than those in the least deprived areas, which is more than double than that recorded in 2012.
Researchers suggest extending smoke-free protections to additional workplaces and providing support and practical interventions to encourage smoke-free homes, may be able to reduce remaining exposure and tackle growing health inequalities
Dr Garth Reid, consultant in public health at Public Health Scotland, said: “Smoking is one of the biggest causes of ill health and premature death in Scotland.
“Thanks to the smoking ban we have historically low smoking rates in Scotland, and we’re keen to encourage more people to give up smoking as we progress to becoming smoke-free in 2034.
“Giving up smoking is one of the best things you can do for your health, and the benefits start to happen quickly – even for people who have smoked for a long time.
“Whether you’re ready to stop, or just beginning to think about it, the NHS Scotland stop smoking service, Quit Your Way, and your local pharmacy are here to help you stop smoking and stay stopped in a way that is right for you.”
Jenni Minto, Public Health Minister, said: “Banning smoking in indoor public places was a landmark moment for Scotland and one we can all be proud of.
“Since 2006, cigarette smoking has almost halved.
“To support people to quit we fund NHS smoking cessation services across Scotland, with more than 30,000 quit attempts recorded last year with their help.
“I’m pleased the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which is in its final stages, provides new powers to Scottish Ministers to expand existing smoke-free spaces as well as create vape- and heated tobacco-free spaces.
“This will help ensure we meet our target of a tobacco-free Scotland by 2034 and further reduce exposure to health-harming products.”
