To the BBC Scotland online newsdesk:
I have just read your report 'Benefits of smoking ban hailed 10 years on' which is currently the lead story on the BBC News (Scotland) page.
It includes not a single dissenting voice – no mention, for example, of the 1200 pubs that have closed since the ban was introduced, the jobs lost, the many social lives ruined etc.
Nor is there any mention of a recent poll that found that 54% of adults living in Scotland would allow designated smoking rooms in pubs and clubs. (40% were opposed to the idea.)
Forest has sent two press releases to the BBC Scotland online newsdesk in the past week:
Poll: Majority of adults in Scotland would allow smoking rooms in pubs and clubs
Allow smoking rooms in Scotland's pubs and clubs, say campaigners
STV News took the trouble to interview us for their evening news programme Scotland Tonight and STV News online today featured our comments alongside those of ASH Scotland, the real ale group CAMRA and the anti-smoking commentator Archie Macpherson:
Ten years on from the smoking ban: Was it the right decision?
The Populus poll mentioned above was featured by the Scottish Mail on Sunday (with quotes from Forest). We have also been quoted by the Scottish Sun and the Dundee Courier.
Why does BBC Scotland think it's acceptable to ignore opposing views and publish what is nothing more than propaganda on behalf of the tobacco control industry?
Update: I received this response at 9:17.
Thank you for your feedback.
The story currently on the BBC website is the first version which went up overnight but will be added to today. I take your point that we should include both sides of the argument and will endeavour to have info and quotes from Forest added asap.
We have also gathered an interview with Paul Watterson of the Scottish Licensed Trade Association and his quotes are being added to the story now.
All well and good. What a pity whoever wrote the original report (posted eight hours ago) didn't think to include our quotes in the first place.