12 March 2008
Commenting on today’s budget, ASH Scotland’s Chief Executive Sheila Duffy said:
“On national No Smoking Day, the Chancellor delivered a mixed bag for tobacco control. ASH Scotland welcomes the Chancellor's decision to extend the VAT reduction on nicotine replacement products, beyond 2008. Seven out of ten smokers say that they want to quit. The continued price cut will help to make quitting a more achievable goal for all smokers.
“We welcome the announcement that a national strategy will be developed by the UK Border Agency to tackle tobacco smuggling. Smuggled tobacco undermines public health and puts money in the pockets of criminal gangs. We hope that the new strategy will prioritise joined-up intelligence and enforcement to make a real difference to the number of illicit cigarettes on our streets.
“However, today's announcement that the cost of a packet of cigarettes will rise by 11p, which is only in line with inflation, does not go far enough. Raising the price of cigarettes has been proven to reduce the number of children who become addicted to tobacco, as well as raising the number of smokers who choose to either cut back or quit. Research shows that a 10% increase in the price of cigarettes results in a 4% fall in tobacco consumption(1) . This budget was an opportunity for Alastair Darling to take targeted action aimed at reducing smoking, and ASH Scotland is disappointed he decided to pass up the opportunity to do more.
“Above inflation price increases on tobacco are popular. A recent survey carried out by YouGov for ASH Scotland shows that 62% of Scots would support a decision to increase the price of tobacco products faster than the rate of inflation. Only 22% of respondents were opposed to above inflation price increases.
“Respondents were also asked if they would support increasing the price of cigarettes by 20p per pack, with all the money being used to try to prevent young people taking up smoking and to support smokers in quitting. 64% reported that they would support such a move, with only 17% being opposed.
“The Chancellor needs to be aware that above inflation price rises for cigarettes are supported by a large majority of the population, particularly if the extra money raised is used for smoking prevention and cessation. It’s vital we do everything we can to make sure the next generation avoids getting hooked on tobacco.”
ENDS
For further information please contact ASH Scotland on 0131 225 4725
Sheila Duffy is available for interview.
Notes for editors
How strongly, if at all, would you support or oppose the following measures…?
• Increasing the price of tobacco products faster than the rate of inflation
|
|
TOTAL |
|---|---|
|
Strongly Support |
40 |
|
Tend to Support |
22 |
|
Neither support nor oppose |
14 |
|
Tend to oppose |
9 |
|
Strongly oppose |
13 |
|
Don't know |
2 |
• Increasing the price of cigarettes by 20p per pack with all the money being used to try to prevent young people taking up smoking and to encourage and support smokers in quitting
|
|
TOTAL |
|---|---|
|
Strongly support |
44 |
|
Tend to support |
20 |
|
Neither support nor oppose |
16 |
|
Tend to oppose |
6 |
|
Stongly oppose |
11 |
|
Don't know |
2 |
(1) Jha, P. Jha, P. and Chaloupka, F. Curbing the epidemic: governments and the economics of tobacco control. [online] Washington, D.C.: The World Bank, 1999. Available from: http://www1.worldbank.org/tobacco/reports.htm [accessed 10 March 2008]
(2) Stead L, Perera R, Bullen C, Mant D, Lancaster T.
Nicotine replacement therapy for smoking cessation.
Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2008 Jan 23;(1) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18253970
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