THE nation's health is improving as the smoking ban and improved diets start to take effect, Scotland's top doctor said today.

THE nation's health is improving as the smoking ban and improved diets start to take effect, Scotland's top doctor said today.

Chief medical officer Dr Harry Burns reported increased fruit and vegetables' consumption by children and praised smokers for quitting following the public ban, but he stressed more action is needed to close the poverty gap.

Dr Burns said early intervention with more support for expectant mothers was a major factor to boosting life expectancy across the class divide.

Figures in his annual report, released today, show more youngsters are ditching fizzy drinks and junk food for healthy snacks. Daily fruit consumption by 11-year-olds in 2006 was up 10% from the 2002 figure.

The report also shows the smoking ban introduced in March 2006 is having a positive impact.

A study of 77 non-smoking bar workers in Dundee showed an improvement in lung function and respiratory symptoms.

And the number of emergency admissions for heart attacks in Scotland decreased 25% in the six months following the ban.

However, the report shows that while tobacco use is decreasing alcohol consumption is increasing, particularly among women and young people.

Figures for September showed that while life expectancy is improving in Scotland for both men and women, there are still big regional differences.

The national life expectancy at birth for men is now nearly 75, but in Glasgow it is less than 71, while in East Dunbartonshire it is 78.

Dr Burns said: "For too long Scotland has lived with the label of being the Sick Man of Europe. The past year has seen developments of great importance in public health.

"The advent of the smoking legislation has sent a powerful message that health is important and more Scots are realising they can improve their health and the quality of their life by taking exercise and eating healthy."

Dr Burns also said high levels of violent crime in Scotland were posing a significant threat to the country's health.

Treating crime victims amounts to 3-6% of the NHS budget annually, the equivalent of £400million.