Working for a tobacco-free Scotland
02 June 2011
Commenting on the announcement from the Scottish Government today that the implementation of a ban on vending machines has been delayed because of an ongoing legal challenge, ASH Scotland Chief Executive Sheila Duffy said:
“It is disappointing that the ban on vending machines will not go ahead in October as previously planned and I am sure all those in public health will be disappointed at this announcement. However we recognise that that the Scottish Government has had no choice due to the tobacco industry’s ongoing legal challenges.
“In countries across the world, whenever the tobacco industry’s profits are threatened, they seek to delay and disrupt effective public health measures. They use their vast profits to leverage delays though successive legal challenges. Tobacco causes a quarter of all adult deaths every year in Scotland and 13% of 13 year old regular smokers and 10% of 15 year old regular smokers report regularly buying cigarettes from a vending machine.
“This is an important measure that seeks to prevent our young people from accessing cigarettes and becoming addicted to a lethal product. Two legal challenges against this ban have been thrown out by the courts, and I look forward to the conclusion of these legal challenges and an end to these tobacco industry delaying tactics.”
Action on Smoking & Health (Scotland) (ASH Scotland) is a registered Scottish charity (SC 010412) and a company limited by guarantee(Scottish company no 141711). The registered office is 8 Frederick Street, Edinburgh EH2 2HB.
© 2012 ASH Scotland
ASH Scotland acknowledges with thanks the support of the British Heart Foundation and the Scottish Government in developing our website.
