26 January 2010
ASH Scotland Chief Executive Sheila Duffy today urged MSPs to back the Tobacco Bill which will be debated for the final time on Wednesday 27th January saying the bill was vital if Scotland was to prevent children and young people smoking and to reduce the thousands of deaths and illnesses caused by tobacco every year. Commenting, Ms Duffy said:
“The bill contains measures which will reduce the attractiveness, availability, and visibility of tobacco. Annually 15,000 young people take up smoking in Scotland every year and the bill’s proposals can help reduce those numbers. The tobacco industry has always needed to recruit young people to retain its high sales and profits so legislation is needed to ensure that the retail advertising and promoting of their lethal product is curtailed and monitored.
“The bill seeks to introduce a ban on cigarette vending machines and promotional displays of tobacco, and introduce stricter sanctions against those who sell to under 18s. These steps are vital if we are to continue to tackle the huge impact that smoking makes on Scotland’s public health.
“Currently 13,500 deaths are due to smoking every year and smoking is Scotland’s biggest preventable killer. In addition, thousands of others suffer tobacco-related illness and disease. The toll this takes on the NHS in Scotland at £409 million every year and the wider economy at an annual £837 million is huge but the misery for families who have to cope with illness and bereavement cannot be measured.
“The smoke-free public places legislation was about protecting health from a toxic pollutant, this bill is about preventing young people from becoming addicted to a lethal substance promoted by a toxic industry. This law will retain Scotland’s place as a world leader in tobacco control and take action to reduce Scotland’s high smoking rates.
“The measures outlined in the bill are vital if we are to prevent childhood addiction to smoking and see a turnaround in our longer term public health. I urge all MSPs to vote in favour of the bill.”