31 May 2006
31 May is World No Tobacco Day. For Scotland this comes just two months after going smoke-free in enclosed public places. Smokeline, a national advice line run by NHS Health Scotland, reportedly received about 450 calls on each of the three days following the introduction of the smoking ban. The line usually receives roughly 100 calls a day.
Maureen Moore, Chief Executive of ASH Scotland, said:
"It's great to hear about the rise in calls to Smokeline and we're delighted that people are using the ban as motivation to quit smoking. Getting specialist help like this really increases your chances of success, too."
Across Scotland, smoking cessation workers are reporting anecdotally that they are much busier. Environmental Health Officers have found little in the way of smokers flouting the ban and pub companies such as Belhaven and Punch have reported increased profits since Scotland went smoke-free.
Maureen Moore said,
"I'm delighted to hear reports from colleagues across Scotland that ending smoking in enclosed public places seems to be going so well. The new law is all about health and these reports are encouraging. Scotland is on course for a health dividend thanks to the smoking ban."
Few countries around the world have experienced as dramatic a year as Scotland has when it comes to smoking. With Scotland suffering from high levels of tobacco use and tobacco related deaths, this year's move to smoke-free enclosed public places has shown what's possible and the rest of the UK is expected to follow our lead. ASH Scotland is using World No Tobacco Day to highlight the next steps on the journey to reduce Scotland's estimated 30 tobacco-deaths-a-day habit.
Maureen Moore said,
"Over the next year we will be concentrating on helping young people. ASH Scotland supports raising the age where young people can buy cigarettes from 16 to 18, as long as it is combined with measures such as proper enforcement, education for young people and increasing the cost of a packet of cigarettes. We would also like to see the introduction of picture warnings on cigarette packets to reinforce the message that smoking kills. We've achieved a lot that should improve the health of people in Scotland but it's time to build on that and keep moving toward fewer tobacco related deaths. It's time to add years to life, and life to years."
ENDS
For more information please call ASH Scotland on 0131 225 4725 during office hours or 0777 3351878 at other times.
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