21 September 2007
A unique meeting hosted by ASH Scotland will bring together representatives from across the north east, highlands, and islands this Friday [21 September] to discuss the important issue of reducing smoking, especially amongst young people, and the issues that those working in tobacco control face in rural and isolated areas. Speaking about the event which will be held in Highland Council Chambers, Sheila Duffy, ASH Scotland’s Director of Information and Communications said:
“Smoking remains Scotland’s biggest preventable killer, with 24% of deaths every year being attributable to smoking. That is why it is important that tobacco control is not just a public health priority but an issue for the whole community.
“This event brings together people with an interest in reducing tobacco use. It will include representatives from Highland, Aberdeenshire and Moray Councils, NHS Highland and NHS Grampian health professionals, community groups across the area, and via a video conference link, representatives from the Western Isles, Orkney, and Shetland.
“This unique meeting will provide an opportunity to increase the effectiveness of smoking prevention and cessation activities by co-ordinating the activities of organisations working in the field and thereby gaining maximum impact. Through presentations, workshops, and Q&A sessions, there will be an opportunity to share ideas and best practice, build networks, and explore some specific issues.
“One area of discussion will be on preventing our future generations from starting to smoke and proving the cessation advice and support to help teenagers to quit. This is especially timely considering that as of 1 October, the minimum purchase age for tobacco will rise from 16 to 18. We will also examine the particular issues that people face working in rural and isolated areas, how to build Local Tobacco Control Alliances that can support health improvement strategies and help co-ordinate local tobacco control activities, and initiatives to reduce smoking in the home.
“By tackling smoking and reducing the numbers who smoke, we can improve the health of people, increase the life expectancy of our nation, and reduce the impact of smoking related disease on our families, our communities, and our NHS.”
NHS Highland Head of Health Improvement, Cathy Steer commented:
“NHS Highland welcomes the first meeting of the north of Scotland Tobacco Control Alliance. With the minimum age for tobacco going up to 18 and our own ban being extended to include the grounds and car parks of our buildings there has never been a better time to join forces with other agencies on the control of tobacco.”
NHS Grampian’s Young Persons Tobacco Advisor, Kevin Leslie, added:
“NHS Grampian is pleased to be a part of this seminar as it will provide a great opportunity to bring together organisations from across the region who are committed to working towards a smoke-free Grampian. NHS Grampian has an award winning smoking cessation service which is based within the community and through out the acute sector, as well tobacco awareness sessions which run within local primary and secondary schools, and it is hoped that this seminar will be the starting point to strengthen this existing work and explore new opportunities.”
Sheila Duffy, Kevin Leslie, and Cathy Steer are available for interview.
ENDS
For further information and interviews with Sheila Duffy please contact: Jeanette Campbell/Sheila Duffy 0131 220 9466 / 0777 6142299.
For interviews with Cathy Steer please contact Susan Rose, Head of External Communications, NHS Highland, 01463 704903.
For interviews with Kevin Leslie, contact him direct on 01224 558410 (Thurs only).
Notes to Editors:
ASH Scotland is the leading voluntary organisation campaigning for effective tobacco control legislation.
1. Within the NHS Highland area there are 450 deaths and 731 hospital admissions every year due to smoking. NHS Highland estimates smoking costs it £6,063,000 each year. ASH Scotland congratulates the NHS Board on banning smoking in almost all NHS grounds as of 1 January 2008 and extending their healthy living message.
2. Current smoking prevalence rates and deaths attributed to smoking according to ‘An Atlas of Tobacco Smoking in Scotland:
|
|
Current smoking prevalence (local authority area 16 yrs plus) |
Deaths attributed to smoking (health board area 2000-04) |
|---|---|---|
|
Aberdeenshire |
22.8% |
21% |
|
Highland |
25.4% |
20% |
|
Moray |
23% |
21% |
|
Orkney |
21.7% |
16% |
|
Shetland |
22.5% |
15% |
|
Western Isles |
25.7% |
16% |
|
Scotland |
27.2% |
24% |