The smoking ban was the culmination of a bitter battle between health campaigners, the corporate tobacco lobby, politicians, and smokers.

The legislation which came into force on March 26, 2006, banned lighting up in a wholly or partially enclosed public space.

At the time, the law was hugely controversial, with campaigners on both sides arguing that people’s lives, livelihoods and civil liberties were at stake.

Saturday will see its tenth anniversary, so what do the main players in the Battle of the Baccy think of the bill’s impact on Scotland.

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Archie Macpherson is an iconic Scottish football commentator, and lifelong non-smoker. He contracted a type of kidney cancer linked to passive smoking in 2013.

“I was told clearly by the consultant, since I pointed out to him I never had a fag on my lips at any time in my life, it’s smoking or smoke inhalation that has caused this and I had to ram home that message to the public.

“I didn’t smoke but used to go into bars, I was a social drinker and I drank a lot with my pals who were all smokers and you simply did not know the hidden menace that was there.

“I would go into press boxes and when I look back on it is was almost as if you had to part the curtain of smoke before you got in. And press rooms, where virtually everybody smoked, men and women. So this must have had an effect.

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“I think [the ban] has had an impact, thank God. My wife and myself used to love going to New York, and we’d sit in bars, and smoking is banned there as well of course, and if they can do it there, with the tradition of smoking and drinking they have then you can do it anywhere. I think it has had a major effect, there’s no doubt about it.”

Sheila Duffy is the chief executive of Ash Scotland, and campaigned for the ban.

She described the law as a “real victory” for the public against the corporate tobacco industry.

“The smoking ban in Scotland was a real victory, with a real strong base of evidence and strong support in the country.

“We need to change the culture around smoking, and see tackling tobacco as part of tackling poverty and inequality.

“Ash Scotland campaigned for the ban before it was on people’s radar. Passive smoking harms people and workers did not get the choice not to breathe it in.

“It is a popular and effective policy, and we are committed to pulling smoking out of fashion.

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“We don’t want to make it illegal, which will penalise smokers, but target the tobacco companies who profit from consumers but do not keep them safe.”

Forest is one of the most prominent pro-smoking campaign groups. Director Simon Clark believes the ban has led to pub closures and “countless” social lives ruined.

“Over 1200 pubs have closed since the smoking ban was introduced. Inner city and community pubs have suffered most, along with working men’s clubs.

“Thousands of jobs have been lost and countless social lives have been ruined on the altar of tobacco control.

“With a small amendment that would allow designated smoking rooms, pubs and clubs could accommodate adults who choose to smoke without inconveniencing non-smokers.”

The Campaign for Real Ale’s Ray Turpie says landlords were initially up in arms, but views have softened in the decade since the ban.

“The ban had a small effect on pubs, but the public kept up quite quickly and things started to pick up again.

“But a lot of things change in 10 years. Attitudes are different now, and pubs have attracted different crowds who were maybe put off by the smoky atmosphere.

“When it came out I think Landlords were up in arms but i think they are quite at ease with it these days, and it is better for people working in pubs as there is no more passive smoking.

“They have taken into account the ban, and man smoking areas are covered or heated, so people can still enjoy a smoke at the pub while those who don’t can still feel comfortable.”

The Scottish Conservatives voted against the ban, saying it was a curb on civil liberties, but health spokesman Jackson Carlaw says the Tories now support the move.

“In short, yes [we support the ban]. The experience of the change led, early on, to Conservative support which has been reflected in subsequent votes and initiatives.

“Smoking rates remain persistently high in Scotland in comparison to many other countries and far too many young people still become smokers.

“More generally, I believe the wider public has appreciated the smoke-free environment.

“There is a greater appreciation of the risks of smoking, however arguably, this has evolved everywhere. Scots are more supportive now of initiatives designed to prevent new smokers and to assist those who wish to give up.”