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Cross border smoking loss concern

The plight of Borders businesses losing trade into England because of the smoking ban has been raised in the Scottish Parliament.

Roxburgh and Berwickshire Lib Dem MSP Euan Robson took his concerns to First Minister Jack McConnell.

The ban will not be introduced in England until next year, prompting complaints about the loss of business.

Mr McConnell said he believed there was the possibility of people coming into Scotland to enjoy non-smoking premises.

The first minister said the number of people who are either non-smokers or want to cut down outweighed the number of smokers.

He said this meant that there was the prospect of businesses attracting people into the Borders from England until the new legislation is in place there.