Guidelines have been issued by ministers to help employers turn their businesses smoke-free next year.

Scotland will be the first part of the UK to ban smoking in all enclosed public places from 0600 GMT on 26 March, 2006. The smoke-free guidance, covered on clearingtheairscotland.com, includes advice on checks, penalties and employer responsibilities. Health Minister Andy Kerr said he hoped the law would be self-enforcing. The aim of the guide is to make sure every business and public place classed as no smoking under the new law is ready when the ban comes into effect. In Scotland 70 per cent of Scots don't smoke and of those who do 70 per cent want to give up Mr Kerr said: "Our country's health and productivity will improve and the incidence of smoking related disease will fall as a result."Employers and their staff have a duty to comply with the legislation and we gave a commitment to support employers in doing this." He said the guide covered how to follow the law, what signs need to be displayed and what to do if someone ignores the smoking ban