When the smoking ban was proposed, it was a bold move by any standard. In 2003, according to the Scottish Household Survey, 31% of Scotland's adult population were smokers, and pessimists predicted that the ban would be unenforceable. Spurred on by the success of smoking bans elsewhere, such as those in the Republic of Ireland and New York City, Scotland pressed ahead and became the first constituent country of the UK to ban smoking in pubs, clubs and restaurants. The public's calm acceptance of the ban following its introduction has silenced the cynics: compliance has been uncomplaining and all but universal. In the first month of the smoking ban, only three Fixed Penalty Notices were issued to individuals for breaches, and a further three to premises, in the whole of Scotland. By the end of 2006 more than 98% of pubs, and more than 99% of restaurants were displaying the required No Smoking notices.

The smoking ban has been a major step forward for health in Scotland. Smoking in Scotland claims over 13,000 lives each year through cancer, coronary heart disease, emphysema and the myriad other illnesses associated with tobacco. Research carried out for the Scottish Executive by Professor David Hole at the University of Glasgow prior to the introduction of the ban indicated that passive exposure to tobacco smoke could be responsible for as many as 2,000 deaths annually. The same research gives great cause for hope regarding Scotland's future health. Prof. Hole estimates that the reduced exposure to tobacco smoke alone could, in time, save as many as 400 lives a year. The news isn't good just for non-smokers either, but also for the 70% of Scottish smokers who actively want to quit. By studying the effects of smoking bans elsewhere, Prof. Hole concluded that bans on smoking in public places result in smokers smoking fewer cigarettes, being more likely to try and quit, and being more likely to succeed when they do try.

The smoking ban is just one of the ways in which Scotland is taking health seriously. New scientific and industrial projects are springing up left and right aiming to improve the health of Scotland and the world.

Much of the impetus behind public health campaigns in Scotland is from a focus on so-called "lifestyle diseases", of which the smoking ban is a part. Like much of the developed world, Scotland (having conquered the infectious diseases and malnutrition that were historically the greatest scourges of health) now suffers from illness related to unhealthy ways of living. Raising awareness and availability of healthy choices is of critical importance in maintaining our future health. It is with this is mind that the University of Glasgow has opened its new million-pound Exercise Science Laboratories, unveiled in October of last year by the Minister for Sport. "We know that participation in sport and physical activity improves health, develops self-confidence and improves quality of life," she said. "The research will help us identify approaches to support people who want to make positive changes to their lifestyle and to make the healthy choice the easy choice." Dr Jason Gill, a senior researcher at the University of Glasgow, echoed her sentiments. "Many of the major public health issues of the next few decades […] are intimately linked with lifestyle issues. The West of Scotland […] provides the ideal setting to investigate and develop strategies for lifestyle intervention to improve public health."

Among the conditions associated with unhealthy living is diabetes. Although it comes in many forms, with many causes, 90% of patients in the developed world diagnosed with "type 2" diabetes are found to be clinically obese. The current "obesity epidemic" among children throughout the Western world is of grave concern for future public health. Major new research is underway in Scotland that seeks to improve our understanding of the disease, and develop new strategies for dealing with this killer.

A recent conference in Dundee saw the launch of the Scottish Diabetes Research Network (SDRN), commissioned by our Chief Scientist's Office. The Network aims to increase cooperation between diabetes researchers at Scotland's major academic centres through the creation of an integrated infrastructure for clinical trials, to increase participation in clinical trials, and to provide the resources to carry out nationwide research into the epidemiology of diabetes. From its base at Ninewells Hospital and Medical School in Dundee, the Network will maintain a nationwide register of patients keen to take part in research and will include clinical trials for new treatments. It will make it easier for primary and secondary healthcare centres to become involved in research, and build on the success of such related projects as the Scottish Care Information – Diabetes Collaboration (SCI-DC). This is a coordinated information system tracking the healthcare of diabetes patients Scotland-wide, giving researchers and specialists access to clear, accurate information that improves research and patient care.

Diabetes is among the diseases into which new research is being carried out at the new Sir James Black Centre at the University of Dundee. One of the visitors who came to see its opening was Dundee native, and Hollywood star, Brian Cox. The actor known for such films as X-Men 2, The Bourne Identity, and as Dr Hannibal Lecter in Manhunter, was at the head of a fundraising campaign that generated millions of pounds for the new £20 million research centre. Welcoming Cox, Professor Sir Philip Cohen, Research Dean in the College of Life Sciences, said, "The enthusiastic support that Brian Cox lent to our campaign was a great help in enabling us to reach our goals […] and it is a pleasure to welcome him back to Dundee and let him see the new building."

Sir Philip himself is no stranger to diabetes research. As head of the MRC Protein Phosphorylation Unit, which recently saw its funding from the Medical Research Council almost doubled to £14.9 million in recognition of their achievements, he aims to, in his own words, "understand the causes of global diseases such as arthritis, cancer, diabetes, hypertension and Parkinson's – and to use this information to facilitate the development of drugs to treat these conditions."

His ground-breaking research into protein phosphorylation, particularly his contributions to the understanding of insulin and diabetes, won him the prestigious 2006 Rolf Luft Award. The accolade, he said, came as a total surprise to him. "I had no idea that I had even been nominated and still have no idea who proposed me. Nevertheless, it is a great honour to have received this award which I am happy to receive on behalf of the many postdoctoral researchers and PhD students who helped me."

Scotland has, throughout the history of modern medicine, been at the forefront of new developments, and, as we have seen, that proud tradition carries on to this day. One of the most famous bioscientists in the world currently is Prof. Ian Wilmut, who led the team at the Roslin Institute, near Edinburgh, that created Dolly the sheep, the world's first mammal cloned from an adult cell. Now, the professor is to lead the new £59 million Scottish Centre for Regenerative Medicine, a cutting-edge medical research facility, and the only one of its kind in the Western world. The development, providing facilities for 220 scientists, will initially create 560 jobs, but after its completion (projected for 2010) it is expected to provide employment for 6,000 people, as well as revolutionary new medical treatments.

Meanwhile, the Roslin Institute itself is to be home to a project intended to create the world's first clinically useable stem cells. Dr Paul De Sousa will head the team who will work within the UK and EU regulatory framework to develop human stem cell lines for use in the treatment of illnesses such as Parkinson's disease and leukemia.

Scotland's international reputation for medical excellence was bolstered by the naming of Glasgow-born Professor Ian Frazer as 2006's Australian of the Year. Prof. Frazer developed the Gardasil vaccine, recently approved for use by the EU, which protects against cervical cancer by providing immunity to the human papillomavirus (HPV). Elsewhere, the generous spirit of the Scottish people has been solidified in bricks and mortar in the form of the City of Glasgow Maternity Unit in Lilongwe, Malawi. The unit, named in honour of Glasgow after the city raised £110,000 for its construction, will save lives in a country ravaged by the HIV pandemic where childbirth is a dangerous business, and medical provision is thin on the ground.

As the nation looks to its own future health, we can look around the world and be proud of the difference being made by Scots, forever in the front line in the fight against disease.

Further Information:

Courtesy of Scottish Government - Scotland.org .

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