Link: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4gjv27xvylo

Loads of consequences, all of em good. Scotland wasn't the first place in the world to do this, but it was in the UK, and the country is in far better health because of it. So here's to a healthier us!

Stopping smoking is the single biggest population risk reduction for premature death and reducing morbidity (the burden of disease) for individuals. The science, research and follow up using data from around the world all confirm this. Even the impact upon neonates and children is significant.

@Olap I remember inspecting a pub in Glasgow soon after the smoking ban. The walls and high ceiling were yellow abd reeked of stale nicotine. But you could actually see. The publican felt sorry for the old regulars affected by the change. I came across the same in a bingo hall. The old dears were having to stand outside.

Yeah, it was pretty intense for a few years and pubs soon realised they needed to redecorate. Not missed by many these days

I worked in a major Scottish theatre at the time, and remember the absurd arguments being deployed to try and carve out an exemption for smoking onstage. We were told it'd be the death of theatre. Oddly enough, it wasn't.

Great letter here from Maureen Moore, then chief exec of ASH Scotland, skewering the daft whining ("censorship," FFS 🙄) arguing for letting actors continue to puff away onstage while everyone else followed the law:

https://www.heraldscotland.com/default_content/12445110.simple-way-allow-smoking-stage/

The impact on public (great though it was) aside, it certainly made going out anywhere massively more pleasant.

Though in favour, not all were good. I had non-smoking mates who hated being left by themselves while we all went for a fun little trip outside to smoke. There were some that actually took up smoking. Plus pubs suddenly smelled of farts and poor upkeep, which was masked by the fag reek - which to this day I really don't dislike.