26 March 2007
On 26th March, the one year anniversary of the highly successful implementation of Scotland's smoke-free legislation, the Scottish Coalition on Tobacco 1 is both celebrating and looking to the future with the launch 2 of a manifesto for the 2007 elections (pdf, 6 pages, 674kb).
The manifesto is being launched on the 26th at a Glasgow primary school with a photo call involving schoolchildren in a visual representation of how smoking rates have declined in society.
Sheila Duffy, Chair of the SCOT coalition, said
"SCOT coalition members worked hard to put forward the arguments for smoke-free legislation, and we are celebrating a successful year. Compliance has never gone below 95%, and the air quality in pubs and clubs is now comparable with outdoor air. People who previously had to work long hours in smoky environments are already reporting improvements in their health, and many smokers have taken the opportunity to seek support and advice to quit and to set a date for quitting. This law is delivering effective protection, something ventilation and voluntary agreements failed to do.
Tobacco is a uniquely dangerous substance. The SCOT coalition is fully committed to the aim of preventing future generations from becoming addicted to smoking."
Three areas are signposted for action in the manifesto:
24% of 15 year old girls in Scotland smoke and 88% of them say they buy their cigarettes in shops. SCOT's proposals include raising the purchase age of tobacco to 18 backed by effective enforcement measures, and introducing out of sight sales to remove the high visibility of tobacco products at retail outlets - replacing the power gantries with a simple list of brands and prices.
ENDS
For more information call ASH Scotland on 0131 225 4725 or outside office hours on 0777 614 2299
Notes to editors
1 SCOT, the Scottish Coalition on Tobacco, incorporates the Scotland CAN! (Cleaner Air Now) campaign. Members include ASH Scotland, Asthma UK; the British Medical Association; the British Heart Foundation; Cancer Research UK; Chest, Heart & Stroke Scotland; Macmillan Cancer Support; The Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation; Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, RCN Scotland and the Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland. ASH Scotland coordinates the coalition and provides the secretariat.
2 Details of the launch: A photo opportunity at a primary school and a chance to speak to coalition members and school children about moving Scotland away from dependence on tobacco.
Place: St. Peter's Primary School, 42-58 Chancellor St, Glasgow, G11 5QN
Time: 11:30am - 12:15pm
Date: 26th March 2006, The one year anniversary of smoke-free legislation.
Please note parking can be difficult in the area due to proximity to the Infirmary and University.
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