Majority of Scots back ban on smoking at school gates, poll finds

More than eight out of 10 Scots want to see action to ban smoking around the school gates, a poll has found.

Research carried out for campaigners at Asthma + Lung UK Scotland found 83.7% agree the Scottish Government should bar people from lighting up outside schools – with only 2.9% strongly disagreeing with a ban.

It released the figures on World No Tobacco Day, with Joseph Carter, the head of Asthma + Lung UK Scotland, saying: “This polling shows the vast majority of people in Scotland want to see a ban of smoking at school gates.”

It comes more than five years after the Welsh Government banned smoking in school grounds, with teachers’ leaders in Scotland amongst those backing the call for action.

Mike Corbett, national official with the NASUWT teaching union in Scotland, said it “welcomes the calls from Asthma + Lung UK Scotland for the Scottish Government to introduce a ban on smoking outside school gates”.

Mr Corbett said: “The strong level of public support mirrors the concerns raised regularly by school staff, who believe children and young people should not be exposed to second-hand smoke as they arrive at or leave school.

“Any measures aimed at reducing children’s exposure to second-hand smoke and improving public health are welcomed and should be given serious consideration.”

Mr Carter meanwhile said for Scotland to meet its target of having fewer than 5% of adults smoking by 2034, action is needed to stop “normalising smoking around children”.

He added that a ban would mean children with “still developing lungs” would be “protected from breathing in harmful second-hand smoke”.

He said: “Every child should be free to live, learn and play in a smokefree environment.”

Sheila Duffy, chief executive of health charity Ash Scotland, said: “We are urgently calling for tobacco and recreational nicotine products to be put out of sight and out of mind for the next generation, including banning smoking at school gates in Scotland.

“The Scottish Parliament has the opportunity to create a healthier society by tackling addictive and health-harming products, and it is pleasing to see the high level of public support for stronger measures to better protect children from exposure to unwanted tobacco smoke.”

Public Health Minister Maree Todd said: “We are sympathetic to this campaign and considering consulting on further smoke-free spaces using the powers included in the new 2026 Tobacco and Vapes Act.

“We will take a balanced and evidence‑led approach, ensuring action is proportionate to protect children and young people from second-hand smoke.”