Katrine Bussey

The success of the smoking ban could be in danger because of a change in the ways councils are funded, environmental health officers will claim today.

As part of its new deal with local authorities, the Scottish Government is ending the ringfencing of much of their funds. However, the body representing environmental health officers claimed that, with cash no longer being earmarked for specific areas, funding for enforcing the smoking ban may be at risk.

Leaders of the Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland (REHIS) said environmental health officers from some councils had contacted them after failing to win assurances that the money would continue to be used for front-line enforcement of the law.

REHIS president Robert Howe warned the success of the smoking ban - which came into place in March 2006 - could be in danger. "I fear that this could be the thin end of the wedge," he said.

"While the smoking ban has enjoyed overwhelming support from both the public and proprietors of premises, that is partly because the prospect of enforcement has been in the background and, even then, some enforcement has been necessary.

"Although the continued funding is intended for front-line enforcement, the cash no longer has to be accounted for, and we believe financial pressures will tempt some local authorities to spend the money elsewhere."

Mr Howe added: "The ban on smoking in public places is the most significant public health intervention in Scotland for decades. Resources must continue to be deployed on the front line, or the smoking ban could yet fail."

A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: "The smoking ban has been a resounding success in Scotland. Since its introduction, the vast majority of Scots have complied with the new legislation. And there have been a limited number of breaches.

"The Scottish Government's historic concordat, which is providing record funding levels for local authorities, ensures a new deal between national and local government, and that the money we are investing with local government delivers on our shared objectives right across society."