The shocking accident came just two days after the introduction of the ban on smoking in enclosed public places.
Death Blamed on Smoke Ban
March 31, 2006
By David Savona
The family of an 85-year old Scotsman blames his death on Scotland's smoking ban.
According to the U.K.'s Daily Record, Jim Donachie, a former bus conductor, was at a pub on Tuesday night and wished to smoke a cigar. With smoking prohibited inside, he walked outside to light it, slipped, hit his head, and died.
Donachie's son, Stewart, denounced the ban in the Daily Record. "I believe that if the ban had not come in, my dad would have been sitting at the table and he would still have been here today," he said. "I think there should be leeway for older and disabled people not to have to go out in the rain for a cigar or a cigarette."
Scotland's smoking ban has been in effect for less than a week.
Family blames pensioner's pub death on smoking ban
30 Mar 2006
LOUISE HOSIE
SCOTLAND's smoking ban was blamed yesterday for the death of a pensioner who fell and hit his head on a bar as he made his way outside to smoke a cigar.
Jim Donachie, 85, from Dundee, had been forced to leave the Boars Rock pub on Tuesday to have a cigar because of the smoking ban.
As he walked across the lounge, he fell forward, hitting his head on the bar top and falling to the ground.
An ambulance was called and Mr Donachie was taken to Ninewells Hospital, but later died.
The pensioner's son, Stewart, said he was angry his father had been forced outside. He said: "During the day, I'd always gone outside with him to have his smoke and make sure he was OK.
"I didn't see him getting up that one time, and he fell and cracked his head against the bar. He died of a brain haemorrhage.
"I believe if the ban hadn't come in, he would have been sitting at the table and he would have still been here today." Read
OAP dies going for smoke
29 March 2006
A DUNDEE pensioner has died after falling and striking his head on a pub bar as he made his way outside for a smoke, writes Graham Huband.
The shocking accident came just two days after the introduction of the ban on smoking in enclosed public places.
Eighty five-year-old Jim Donachie of Greendykes Road, Craigiebank, had been in the lounge bar of the Boars Rock pub on Arbroath Road when he decided to go out for a cigar.
As he walked across the lounge of his local, Mr Donachie stumbled forward and hit his head on the bar top before falling to the ground in front of shocked regulars.
Mr Donachie’s son, daughter-in-law and sister-in-law, with whom he had attended a family funeral earlier in the day, were also in the bar when the accident occurred early in the evening.
An ambulance crew was summoned and the pensioner was taken to Ninewells Hospital where he died a short time later.
His son Stewart said today he was angry his father, who he described as a “cheery lad” who enjoyed a couple of drinks, had been forced outside for his cigar.
He called for new provisions to be made for the elderly and disabled under the terms of the smoking ban.
He said, “During the day I’d always gone outside with him to have his smoke to make sure he was OK.
“I didn’t see him getting up that once and he fell and cracked his head against the bar. He died of a brain haemorrhage.
“I believe if the ban hadn’t come in then he would have been sitting at the table and he would have still been here today.
“I think there should be leeway for older and disabled people not to have to go out in the rain for a cigar or cigarette.
“A prime example was on Sunday night when the ban came in. I was in a bar when the staff had to push an old lad outside in his wheelchair. It is ridiculous.”
Mr Donachie was born and brought up in the Blackness area of Dundee before moving to Craigiebank in the 1940s.
He worked as a bus conductor for many years before joining the plumbing and fittings firm Delta.
He served with the anti-aircraft service with the Army at Fort William during the Second World War.
A keen music fan, Mr Donachie was known to entertain regulars at the North End Social Club with a song. He also enjoyed a regular game of dominoes.
Mr Donachie was predeceased by Cath, his wife of 60 years. He is survived by his three sons, Jim, Stewart and Willie, six grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.
Gordon Whiting, managing director of Redwood Leisure which owns the Boars Rock, sent his condolences to Mr Donachie’s family.
He said, “It was just a very unfortunate accident. We called an ambulance but unfortunately he died.”
The Scottish Executive was asked to respond to Stewart Donachie’s comments, but a spokeswoman only said, “This is a tragic accident and our thoughts are with the man’s family and friends.”
Barman quits after smoking ban attack
18-Apr-2006
An Edinburgh barman has quit his job after being attacked by a smoker who refused to put out his cigarette.
The 23-year-old worker was struck on the back of the head by a glass that was thrown at him at the D1 bar in Edinburgh.
According to Lothian and Borders police this is the first reported incident of its kind since March 26.
It is understood the barman was subjected to a torrent of verbal abuse after asking the customer to extinguish his cigarette.
A spokesman for the bar denied the barman had been punched, but confirmed that he was hit by a glass thrown at him.
“He had a huge lump in his head after the attack,” the spokesman said.
“He (the barman) has now resigned because he said it was impossible to stay in this area given the circumstances.”
A spokesman for Lothian and Borders police confirmed an inquiry into the incident was on-going and they were appealing for witnesses. Read
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