What the daily papers say - March 26, 2007

Scotland's smoking ban has been hailed as the most important development in public health for a generation, as research predicts up to 22,000 people will kick the habit in the next year - The Scotsman ​

The MSP behind the smoking ban has called for the "sexy" packaging of cigarettes to be replaced by plain black and white boxes showing only photographs of blackened lungs. Stewart Maxwell, the SNP MSP who first suggested a ban on smoking in public places, said it had undoubtedly led to fewer people indulging in the habit. But he said the Executive must now do more to prevent people smoking - The Scotsman​

Jeanette Goldie, 57, who has worked as a barmaid at the Tolbooth Tavern in Edinburgh for more than 18 years, says the smoking ban has brought positive changes to her working life - The Scotsman​

Doctors have warned that Wales' imminent smoking ban will not, on its own, stop large numbers of teenagers taking up the habit. Health professionals say the nation must not rely on the ban on smoking in public places to encourage people of all ages to quit - Western Mail​

Powers to issue licenses for a new generation of casinos risk defeat this week, jeopardising the government's controversial plans to liberalise the gaming industry. MPs and peers are to stage separate votes on Wednesday to decide whether to approve Manchester as the host city for the first supercasino - The Times, Daily Telegraph, Financial Times​

The Archbishop of Canterbury has delivered a powerful condemnation of Labour's gambling revolution. Dr Rowan Williams said the introduction of a slew of new casinos - including one giant supercasino - would damage the young, the poor and the vulnerable - Daily Mail ​