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Scotland closer to being smoke free
03/01/2010
As the Scottish Parliament prepares to pass more anti-smoking legislation, Public Health Minister Shona Robison is encouraging more people to stop smoking in 2010.
The latest statistics show over 60,000 quit attempts were made in 2008-09 with 23,126 people managing to kick the habit.
Meanwhile, moves are continuing to make cigarettes less attractive and less available, especially to young people, with the Tobacco and Primary Medical Services (Scotland) Bill expected to complete its passage through Holyrood later this month.
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The bill will ban sales from cigarette vending machines and introduce a display ban on tobacco products in shops.
Ms Robison said:
"Quitting smoking is the biggest single thing anyone can do to improve their health. So I hope as many people as possible will make 2010 the year they give up for good.
"There's a comprehensive range of NHS smoking cessation help available, including pharmacy-based services, so there really is something for everyone. We know people are more likely to quit if they have help.
"We're also doing all we can to reduce the number of smokers in Scotland, as part of our continuing drive to make Scotland smoke-free.
"The legislation currently going through parliament will reduce the availability and attractiveness of cigarettes to children, helping to stop them becoming regular smokers.
"We simply can't afford to ignore the horrendous damage that smoking does - both the human and economic costs are enormous."
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Smoking is responsible for around 13,000 deaths and 35,500 hospital admissions each year. It costs the NHS more than £200 million a year for hospital treatment for smoking-related illnesses.