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ASH Scotland manifesto for 2007: tobacco remains the biggest challenge to Scotland's health

23 January 2007

As smokers across Scotland and the UK get to grips with their New Year's resolution to stop smoking, ASH Scotland today sets out what politicians need to do next to win the health battle against tobacco. In its manifesto for the 2007 elections, ASH Scotland calls for action to limit the availability of cigarettes, extra help for pregnant women who smoke and a full programme of measures to deter young people from starting smoking.

In March 2006, Scotland became the first part of the UK to go smoke-free in enclosed public places. This radical health reform has succeeded, with over 70% of Scots viewing going smoke-free as a success ¹. Early research already indicates improved respiratory health for those with jobs in previously smoky places ². For many, the smoking ban was the success story in Scottish politics last year.

Maureen Moore, Chief Executive of ASH Scotland said:

¿There is still a huge challenge for smoking and health in Scotland. 35 smokers in Scotland die every day from diseases caused by tobacco. Most Scots that smoke are hooked before they reach the age of 16 and one in five babies are born to a mother that smoked through pregnancy. Smoking still kills, despite the triumph of going smoke-free in public places.¿

ASH Scotland¿s manifesto has three main goals:

1. Deter children from starting smoking. Raise the age at which young people can buy cigarettes from 16 to 18. Ensure it is properly enforced with test purchasing, heavy fines and a licensing scheme for shops.

2. Help pregnant women to stop smoking. Increase the money spent on smoking cessation in the NHS, with targeted budgets for groups such as pregnant women. Train all midwifes and GPs to deliver smoking cessation advice.

3. Limit the availability of cigarettes. We should stop accepting the visibility the tobacco industry has in Scotland. End the display of tobacco products in retail outlets and introduce under-the-counter sales. Let's move towards limiting the times at which tobacco can be sold and the number of places that can sell it.

Maureen Moore added:

"Going smoke-free was a triumph for those committed to tackling Scotland¿s poor health record and a proud moment for ASH Scotland. The measures that we announce today are a natural follow-on from the good work started by going smoke-free and I look forward to making the case for their introduction."

ENDS

For more information call ASH Scotland on 0131 225 4725 or outside office hours on 0777 614 2299

Notes for Editors

In May 2006 a MRUK poll carried out for the Scottish Executive showed that 73% of people in Scotland think going smoke-free has been successful or very successful.
Source: Scottish Executive. Opinion surveys: public attitudes to smoking in public places - MRUK omnibus survey - March 2006 and May 2006 main findings. [online]. 2006. Available from: http://www.clearingtheairscotland.com/research/opinion-survey.html [accessed 19 January 2007]
Research from Dundee University shows a 32.5% decline in respiratory health complaints from bar workers within two months of Scotland going smoke-free.
Source: Menzies, D., et al. 2006. Respiratory symptoms, pulmonary function, and markers of inflammation among bar workers before and after a legislative ban on smoking in public places. JAMA 296(14): pp.1742-8. Abstract available from: http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/296/14/1742 [accessed 19 January 2007]

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