Polls show rising support for Low Emission Zones (LEZs) among members of the Scottish public, as a national charity says it now wants to see policies go further to limit air pollution and make Scotland’s cities ‘far healthier’.

A poll of 1,000 Scots found that only 21% are opposed to LEZs and 60% support LEZs, rising from 53% last year.

This comes ahead of the wider rollout in Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Dundee City.

Residents of Glasgow, where LEZs are already in place, had the highest level of support at 62%.

Asthma + Lung UK Scotland has welcomed the news of the roll-out of LEZs across Scotland’s most polluted cities, after campaigning for years for more action to combat air pollution.

While also a measure addressing the contribution of pollution to the climate crisis, LEZs will also impact on people’s health and wellbeing.

Air pollution from cars contain dangerous toxins such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter.

Asthma + Lung UK Scotland Asthma + Lung UK Scotland says the LEZ scheme – which effectively excludes the most polluting vehicles from the city centre – will protect public health by tackling dangerously high levels of air pollution. 

At a cost of £1.1bn per year to Scotland, it says air pollution is “draining our resources, straining our health system and cutting short over 2,700 lives a year.”

This comes after MSPs urged the government to provide an update on its respiratory care action plan, which includes an aim to improve air quality.

Air pollution can cause new lung conditions like lung cancer and worsen existing ones like asthma and COPD. High levels of air pollution can also lead to asthma attacks and cause symptoms flare ups that can result in hospitalisation.

Gareth Brown, Chair of Healthy Air Scotland, and Policy and Public Affairs Officer, Asthma + Lung UK Scotland, said:  

“With one in five Scots developing a lung condition like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in their lifetime, for them, air pollution can trigger life-threatening asthma attacks and flare-ups. 

“Children are more susceptible to air pollution as their lungs are still growing, and they also breathe faster than adults. As they grow, toxic air can stunt the growth of their lungs, making them less resilient into adulthood and placing them at greater risk of lung disease in the future.

“We want to see politicians from all parties coming together to tackle air pollution and encourage behavioural change.”  

Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Fiona Hyslop MSP, said the growing support for LEZs is encouraging, ahead of the full enforcement of LEZs in Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Dundee from 1 June 2024.

Ms Hyslop added that the government is also investing in public transport to support a sustainable shift away from car use:

“Cities around the world have been implementing LEZs in response to continued scientific findings into the effects of air pollution caused predominantly by vehicle emissions

“The support from public health charities such as Asthma + Lung UK is welcomed by the Scottish government and local authorities – and they are right that LEZs cannot work in isolation.

“Beyond the full enforcement of Scotland’s LEZs by 1 June, we’re continuing to invest over £2bn a year on public transport, delivering ambitious policies such as free bus travel for under 22s, the extension of the peak fares pilot for rail travel and continued investment in active travel to make walking, wheeling and cycling easier for more people.

“By encouraging a shift away from cars and towards sustainable transport, we make our city centres better places to live, work in and visit – while at the same time protecting public health and the climate.”

Asthma + Lung UK Scotland’s Mr Brown said:  

“With greater investment in public transport and active travel, and exemptions for the most vulnerable, we want to see our cities to be far healthier places, where people aren’t exposed to unhealthy air.  

“Traffic reduction policies like LEZs are seen as the most effective tool, but we would like to see policies that go further, helping to clear up pollution hotspots throughout the country, not just in our four main cities.

“It is vitally important that we protect the lungs and health of our communities, no one should be forced to breathe in toxic air.” 

Read more:  Medics warn pollution is risking children's health; Government urged to update on lung health action plan; Realistic medicine to help the climate; Working together for climate action and good health; ‘Asthma care is in crisis'; A question of action; PHS: Poor transport is widening health gaps

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