CHEAL002/2004 | 17 December 2004

HEALTH COMMITTEE CALLS FOR EVIDENCE ON SMOKING HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE (SCOTLAND) BILL

The Health Committee has today launched a call for evidence on the Executive’s Smoking, Health and Social Care Bill. The Bill, also published today, proposes a range of health related measures including free dental check ups and eye tests, as well as a ban on smoking in public places.

Convener of the Health Committee Roseanna Cunningham MSP, said

“This is a major piece of legislation. There has already been substantial consultation on the issue of a smoking ban. The Executive carried out its summer consultation ahead of the Bill, and our Committee took evidence on Stewart Maxwell’s Member’s Bill which proposes a partial ban.

“However, there is much more to this Bill than simply smoking issues. It proposes a range of health related changes including free eye and dental tests, the provision of chemists, compensation for Hepatitis C victims and joint ventures in the NHS. Our Committee is keen to get views from those who have an interest on all the different elements, as well as the smoking provisions.”

Full details of the call for written evidence are available on our website.

The deadline for written submissions is 11 February 2005.

Background

A copy of the Bill is available here

For further information, the media contact is:

Sally Coyne Tel: 0131 348 6269
email: sally.coyne@scottish.parliament.uk

Health Committee contact information

For public information enquiries, contact: 0131 348 5000

For general enquiries, contact 0845 278 1999 (local call rate)
Text phone: 0131 348 3415 RNID Typetalk calls welcome
email: sp.info@scottish.parliament.uk

Visit our website at: www.scottish.parliament.uk