29 May 2007
ASH Scotland Chief Executive Maureen Moore OBE, today, welcomed a report showing teenage smoking rates had decreased but said effective enforcement of tobacco sales was crucial if underage smoking was to be tackled seriously.
Commenting on the results of the 2006 national SALSUS report which has been published today, Ms Moore said:
“I welcome the SALSUS report which shows a decrease in the prevalence of both thirteen and fifteen year olds smoking and an increase in those who have never smoked. This is great news but the percentage of underage teenagers smoking still remains high, especially amongst girls. It is clear that we must find a way to reach teenagers and stop them taking up smoking and to help those who have started to quit. An increase in support from government in funding and policy for cessation work already going on would help enormously, especially in those communities that face the highest economic and social pressures and where smoking is most prevalent.
“Other findings in the report show 82% of fifteen year olds and 47% of thirteen year old smokers buy their cigarettes from shops. This is clearly unacceptable and if as a society we want to seriously tackle underage smoking, this is where we must start. Increasing the purchase age for tobacco to eighteen years is supported by the majority of MSPs parties but without backing this with effective enforcement it will be a wasted measure. It is crucial that the law is upheld and tobacco licensing introduced so that shopkeepers who sell cigarettes to our children can be penalised.
“We must also tackle the promotion of cigarettes too. The introduction of out of sight tobacco sales would remove one of the key ways tobacco companies promote their brands to young people and effectively remove from view an addictive substance that remains the number one risk to Scotland’s health.
“The ban on smoking in public places has been a tremendous success but this report shows there is still work to be done to reduce smoking rates and the next issue we should tackle is prevention.”
ENDS
For further information please contact: Dr Rachel Harrison, Policy & Research Manager, 0131 220 9478 / 0777 6142299
Notes to editors:
1. The results of the 2006 national SALSUS report are available in full at: www.drugmisuse.isdscotland.org/publications/local/SALSUS_2006.pdf.
The findings of the report are as follows:
Smoking prevalence
15% of 15 year olds smoke regularly (at least 1 cigarette a week): 12% of boys and 18% of girls.
4% of 13 year olds smoke regularly: 3% of boys and 5% of girls.
There was an increase between 2004 and 2006 in the percentage reporting that they had never smoked from 39% to 47% in 15 year olds, and from 59% to 69% in 13 year olds.
Where pupils obtain cigarettes
82% of 15 year old regular smokers reported buying cigarettes from a shop.
47% of 13 year old regular smokers reported buying cigarettes from a shop.
Dependence
49% of 15 year old regular smokers and 45% of 13 year old regular smokers reported that they wanted to give up.
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