Speaking from Strasbourg Mr Martin said: “On 1 January this year, a smoking ban was introduced in the European Parliament buildings in Brussels, Strasbourg and Luxembourg, On 12 February, after less than 2 months, the ban was repealed, on the grounds that there were problems with enforcement and that the ban interfered with the administration of the Parliament's business,” explained David Martin.

 

“I believe with the increasing public interest in this issue not only in Scotland but across Europe, it is the ideal time for the European Parliament to bring back a complete smoking ban within the European Parliament,” continued the European MP.

 

The Bureau of the European Parliament wants to compromise the health of their workers by allowing smoking to continue inside the Parliament buildings within smoking rooms. All scientific evidence confirms that there are no known safe levels of second hand tobacco smoke. Such a 'solution' compromises the health of the workers in the European Parliament.

 

“At a time when more and more National Parliaments are adopting smoking bans and also as the Commission has launched a consultation on its Green Paper to make Europe smoke free, it is pure hypocrisy that the European Parliament refuses to set the example by banning all smoking in its premises" stated David Martin Labour Member of the European Parliament (MEP) for Scotland.

 

“ I believe that these reasons do not justify in any way the repeal of the ban. On the contrary, such weak arguments undermine the will of the Commission to make Europe smoke free and, further, present a challenge to the democratic nature of the European Parliament. When the majority of European citizens support national smoking bans and, within the staff of the EP, 61% want a complete ban, are there any arguments strong enough to justify the repeal of the smoking ban? I do not believe that there are and I am sure my constituents would agree with me” .

 

Mr Martin concluded: "At a time when we are attempting to re-engage the public in politics and give the European Union a new sense of purpose for the younger generation if we revert back to the old ‘Do as I say, not as I do’s line, we lose all credibility”.