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Action to stub out smoking
21/05/2008
Displays of cigarettes in shops are set to become a thing of the past as part of the Scottish Government's continuing drive to stop smoking and make Scotland healthier.
Public Health Minister Shona Robison outlined the plans to the Scottish Parliament today as she unveiled Scotland's future is smoke-free, A Smoking Prevention Action Plan
Backed by £9 million over three years, the proposals - which take in plans to licence tobacco retailers and aim to discourage young people from smoking - include:
- Legislating to restrict the display of cigarettes and other tobacco products at points of sale
- Updating statutory controls on the sale of tobacco products, with a view to introducing licensing and sanctions such as cautions and fixed penalty notices
- Considering issues surrounding outlawing the sale of cigarettes in packs of 10 and further steps to reduce underage sales from vending machines
- Introducing a scheme for councils to more vigorously enforce tobacco sales laws
- Cracking down on smuggled and counterfeit cigarettes, in collaboration with Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs
- Working with the UK Government and devolved administrations to consider using plain packaging for cigarettes
- Stepping up education in schools and other settings to make clear the risks associated with smoking
Ms Robison said:
"Reducing the number of smokers in Scotland is a key part of our drive to turn the tide of Scotland's poor health record.
"We simply can't afford to ignore the damage that smoking does as both the human and economic costs are horrendous.
"We've already made great progress - spearheaded by the ban on smoking in public places - and must build on this.
"As well as encouraging existing smokers to kick the habit, it's crucial that we stop youngsters from starting. Today's action plan is specifically aimed at doing just that by making cigarettes and other tobacco products less accessible, less attractive and less affordable to them.
"Smoking is dangerous at any age but the statistics are stark. Eighty per cent of smokers start in their teens. Someone who starts smoking at 15 is three times more likely to die from cancer as a result than someone who starts in their mid-twenties.
"I am aware that some people will be concerned about further statutory controls on the sale of cigarettes. However, I am in no doubt that the prominent display of cigarettes in shops undermines our efforts to shift cultural perceptions of smoking - as does the apparent ease with which cigarettes can be bought.
"Protecting young people from the impact of tobacco must be paramount and there are instances - and this is one - when the benefits to the health of the nation must take precedence.
"This action plan proposes an ambitious programme of measures which will further denormalise smoking in Scotland. Through these measures I believe we can take significant steps towards our vision of a smoke-free Scotland."
Laurence Gruer, Director of Public Health at NHS Health Scotland and Chair of the Smoking Prevention Working Group whose recommendations informed the content of the action plan, said:
"I am very encouraged that the government has acted on our advice. The action plan is exactly the package of tough but sensible measures we need to cut the number of young people in Scotland who become addicted to this toxic substance. Fully implemented, it should take us a long way towards achieving our goal of a Future without Tobacco."
Sheila Duffy, Chief Executive of ASH Scotland, said:
"We warmly welcome the publication of the action plan today as a framework for debate and a chance for real progress in Scotland's health. At present nearly a quarter of adults in Scotland die early from tobacco related diseases. Taking action now will help to ensure a healthier future for our children.
"Promotional displays in shops are one of the last bastions of tobacco marketing. We know young people are heavily influenced by marketing and tend to experiment with the most visible brands. Putting cigarettes out of sight will support smokers who are trying to quit, and reduce the tobacco industry's influence on children.
"We believe those selling tobacco should be licensed as for alcohol. With most underage smokers saying they buy their cigarettes from shops and only a handful of prosecutions each year, it's clear the current system isn't working. Licensed tobacco sales would deter those retailers who are prepared to sell tobacco to children, and would allow those touting fake and smuggled tobacco to be quickly stopped."
The action plan was developed in consultation with the Scottish Ministerial Working Group on Tobacco Control which is chaired by the Minister for Public Health and whose membership is drawn from a range of key interests.
The plan draws on the 31 recommendations made by the Smoking Prevention Working Group in their report Towards a future without tobacco.
Smoking in public places in Scotland was banned on March 26, 2006. On October 1, 2007, the minimum age for buying cigarettes was raised to 18.
Smoking is responsible for around 13,000 deaths and 33,500 hospital admissions each year. It costs the NHS more than £200 million a year for hospital treatment for smoking related illnesses.
Funding for smoking cessation has increased from £27 million in the last spending review to £33 million in this one.
The additional £9 million available for the implementation of the smoking prevention plan (£3 million for each of the next three years), will enable health boards and councils to take forward various aspects of the plan, including enforcement and developing initiatives aimed at young people.