The British Medical Association (BMA) has declared the Scottish smoking ban a success as it has encouraged thousands of people to quit the habit.

One year on since the introduction of the ban, Scottish doctors still see smoking as the number one public health issue in the country.

Peter Terry, chair of BMA Scotland said: “Scots have embraced the some-free legislation and many have chosen to quite.”

BMA’s announcement comes just days after industry leaders revealed that a third of pubs in Scotland have been forced to lay off staff because of the ban.

According to the Scottish Licensed Trade Association, 34 per cent of the 530 members it surveyed had let staff go during the past year.