Six strands of tobacco control

"Total tobacco-attributable deaths are projected to rise from 5.4 million in 2005 to 6.4 million in 2015 and 8.3million in 2030 under our baseline scenario. Tobacco is expected to kill 50% more people in 2015 than HIV/AIDS, and to be responsible for 10% of all deaths."

World Health Organisation (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC)

This treaty is designed to reduce the devastating health and economic impacts of tobacco on a global level. Each country signing up to the Treaty is bound that within 90 days of ratification they commence enactment of several measures that have proven effective in protecting citizens from the harmful effects of tobacco. November 2006 - 168 countries signed up - 142 have ratified. The UK Government ratified the Treaty on 6th December 2004. The following table details the six strands of tobacco control with the relevant actions undertaken by the Scottish Parliament and the UK Government where this is not a devolved reponsibility.

The challenge Scotland is facing

Tobacco use kills 13,000 people in Scotland every year and is Scotland's greatest public health challenge. Overall 26% of the adult population in Scotland smokes (doc, 45kb). The NHS in Scotland spends up to £140 million every year treating smoking-related disease. Some of the highest rates of smoking are found among the most disadvantaged communities.

A Breath of Fresh Air for Scotland Improving Scotland’s Health: The Challenge Tobacco Control Action Plan

WHO FCTC Tobacco Control Activity	UK Government Responsibility	Devolved Scottish Parliament Responsibility
Reducing exposure to secondhand smoke		Smoking, Health and Social Care(Scotland) Act 2005; Prohibition of Smoking in Certain Premises (Scotland) Regulations 2006
Media Education Campaigns		National Campaigns – TV, Radio, Billboards, Websites
Reducing Availability Regulating Supply	Price (tax) increases, smuggled and counterfeit tobacco and cigarettes	Age-related sales restrictions, licensing of retailers
Support to stop smoking		Financial Allocations to Health Boards for smoking cessation and prevention and target setting for smoking prevalence reduction Better Health Better Care Action Plan
Reducing tobacco advertising and promotion	UK Tobacco Advertising and Promotion Act 2002	The Scottish Parliament has the power to make regulations covering advertising at point of sale, display, specialist tobacconists and sponsorship.
Regulating tobacco products	Tobacco Products (Safety) Regulations 2002 The Tobacco Products (Manufacture, Presentation and Sale) (Safety) (Amendment) Regulations 2007