Last drag for smokers

Scotland's first minister is poised to announce plans to crack down on smoking in public places.

Jack McConnell appears set to introduce a partial ban on smoking in public places by the end of the year.

Sources close to the first minister say he will throw his support behind legislation which could see smoking outlawed in restaurants and public buildings.

Whilst McConnell is said to have ruled out plans to impose an Irish style blanket ban, he appears set to begin a crackdown on smoking in public.

A source told the Scotland on Sunday newspaper that "there is more support for a ban in restuarants than in pubs".

The Scottish executive is currently engaged in a consultation on smoking in public places.

Any formal announcement of government support for legislation is unlikely to come until deputy health minister Tom McCabe completes the consultation.

McCabe is said to favour a far tougher anti-smoking regime - but any moves to ban smoking in public is likely to lead to angry clashes with the smoking lobby.