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MP calls for reintroduction of smoking in schools…
January 24, 2007 11:08 AM
....but only in the science lab!
A Liberal Democrat MP is calling for the reintroduction of smoking in schools - but only in the science lab. The call came after it was revealed that the Scottish Executive has banned the "smoking machine" experiment in science labs following the introduction of the ban on smoking in public places legislation.
Willie Rennie, MP for Dunfermline and West Fife, was alarmed that a valuable experiment which has helped teach young people about the dangers of smoking in a safe way should be prohibited by the Scottish Executive. It has also emerged that the Department of Health in England will permit the experiment in schools when their legislation is enacted.
Mr Rennie said:
"I am alarmed that the Scottish Executive is interpreting the legislation in this way. This experiment is a valuable tool in campaign to persuade people not to smoke. I have had numerous complaints from science teachers who want to be able to show the effect smoking has on the lungs and ultimately on health.
"13,000 people die from smoking related illnesses every year so we need to use every tool in our bag to persuade people to give up or not even start in the first place."
Willie Rennie is writing to the Education Minister and Health Minister to ask them to reverse the decision.
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