Scotland's CMO targets smoking and vaping outside shops

They couldn't wait, could they?

Non-essential shops reopened in Scotland on June 29 and chief medical officer Dr Gregor Smith has already sent a memo to retailers asking them to put up notices warning people not to light up or vape outside shops.

Despite admitting that there is "no scientific evidence" to suggest that the virus can be spread through smoke or vape drift, the acting CMO said the issue had been raised as a "public concern over and above the fact that many find the passive inhaling of tobacco or vape drift unpleasant."

I suspect some behind the scenes lobbying from the tobacco control industry. Either way, it's pathetic.

The Herald published the story this morning and has just updated its report to include Forest's reaction:

The CMO was criticised by the smokers' group Forest for "fuelling" the unwarranted fears about smoking and vaping.

Simon Clark, director of the group said: "Most smokers are considerate and use their common sense when lighting up outside shops or in queues. They don't need more nagging notices telling them how to behave.

"It may be mildly annoying to some people, but not only is there is no evidence linking tobacco smoke or e-cigarette vapour with the spread of Covid-19, there is no evidence that smoking or vaping in the open air poses any significant threat to other people's health.

"Instead of fuelling unwarranted fears about smokers and vapers, the CMO should focus on tackling a genuine public health emergency, the ongoing coronavirus crisis."

See: Scottish health chief urges retailers to stop shoppers smoking and vaping in outdoor queues over 'unproven' Covid fears (Herald)