Mothers attend stop smoking support groups

The minister was visiting the maternity unit at Stirling Royal Infirmary ahead of the second anniversary of the ban on smoking in Scotland's public places.

Mothers-to-be are encouraged to stub out by using nicotine replacement therapy and support groups.

Carbon monoxide analysers are also used to allow women to avoid smoky areas.

'Great strides'

Ms Robison was introduced to four babies whose mothers had given up smoking while pregnant.

She said: "I am delighted to see the excellent work being done at the Stirling Royal Infirmary and especially the work they are doing to help pregnant mothers give up smoking.

"Great strides have been made in reducing the number of smokers in Scotland in recent years, and creating an environment which supports people to give up.

"However we can not rest on our laurels. Smoking remains the most important and preventable cause of ill-health and premature death in Scotland."