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Polling shows Scots public back measures to reduce harm caused by smoking
02 September 2010
ASH Scotland today published polling results showing the measures that the public most highly support to combat smoking in Scotland. Commenting ASH Scotland Chief Executive, Sheila Duffy said:
"These results show the high support that both smokers and non-smokers in Scotland have for continuing action against the harm caused by smoking. When asked about support for a number of tobacco control measures, four measures received 80% or more support from respondents.
"These are for an adult to buy cigarettes on behalf of a child to be an offence (90%); business to have a valid licence to sell tobacco which can be removed If they are caught selling to those underage more than once (89%); banning smoking in enclosed public places and workplaces (82%); and increasing access to local NHS stop-smoking services (80%).
"Three of these measures were also the top measures chosen by smokers [the first, second and fourth above] showing that across Scotland, both smokers and non-smokers are agreed that they want to tackle tobacco. Scots are very aware of the harm caused by smoking, the deaths and illness due to smoking and the toll it takes on our society, our communities, and our families.
"Both smokers and non-smokers alike would like to see changes in Scotland. It is clear that respondents are concerned about preventing young people taking up smoking and want to see restrictions which will stop young people accessing cigarettes. For smokers, they also very much support NHS stop-smoking services which is unsurprising when 69% of smokers would like to quit.
"These figures show that there continues to be major support for our smoke-free public places and people should be delighted that the first two of these measures, buying tobacco on behalf of a child and registration for tobacco retailers will be introduced in autumn 2011.
"There is much we can do to reduce the 13,500 deaths caused by smoking each year, prevent young people starting, and help smokers to quit. There is much public support for a range of measures to crack down on smoking and tobacco in Scotland. We need these issues taken seriously by our policy makers. For those measures that are being introduced, we need them fully enforced and supported, and others should be considered as part of a new national tobacco control strategy."
NOTES
All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 1206 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 17th and 22nd March 2010. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all adults in Scotland (aged 18+)
