A Scottish Executive commissioned study to evaluate the beneficial effects of the smoking ban has found a 17 per cent fall in hospital admissions for heart attacks in the first year.

The research – part of a national evaluation of the impact of the smoke free legislation – featured nine hospitals which, together, account for 63 per cent of all Scottish admissions for heart attacks.

In comparison, in the decade before the ban, the annual reduction stood at 3 per cent per year.

Deputy chief medical officer Professor Peter Donnelly said: “This raft of research demonstrates the significant public health benefits that the smoking ban is already having in Scotland.

“It provides evidence that the legislation is improving the health of everyone in Scotland – including smokers, non-smokers, children and bar workers.

The research also found a 39 per cent reduction in second-hand smoke exposure in 11 year olds and in adult non-smokers, as well as an 86 per cent reduction in second-hand smoke in bars.

In addition, there is no evidence that the limitation of smoking in public places has resulted in increased smoking in the home. In contrast, an increasing number of homes have instigated their own smoking restrictions, with public support for the legislation among smokers increasing since the introduction of the legislation.

Public health minister Shona Robison said: “We want to continue the work to make Scotland a smoke-free society and that is why next month, subject to Parliamentary approval, we will be raising the age of cigarette sales from 16 to 18.”