Smoking Remains a Serious Health Problem in Scotland

The motion

That the Parliament notes the findings of the recently updated ASH Scotland Smoking and Tobacco Statistics Fact Sheet, which highlights the prevalence, costs and significance of smoking in Scotland; acknowledges the continuous problem of smoking, with 24.2% of the adult population smoking and 44% of smokers living in the most deprived 10% of areas; notes that the 2010 prevalence target of 22% has therefore not been met; considers however that Scotland is on route to achieving the 2014 target for smoking rates in young people as the report noted the lowest levels since surveys began in 1982, with the prevalence rates for 13 and 15 year-old girls meeting the targets of 3% and 14% respectively; believes that there is a link between underage smoking and the availability and accessibility of tobacco, as more than 50% of 15-year-old smokers buy cigarettes from shops or request somebody else to buy them and, during test purchases, 16.7% of sales premises failed in their first visit from trading authorities; acknowledges the supportive public opinion toward reducing smoking, with 83% of Scottish adults supportive of the banning of smoking in public areas and an increase in the demand for cessation services, with 79% of smokers having made at least one to more than three attempts to quit smoking and 78% of adults favouring an increase in access to free local NHS cessation services; understands that smoking remains a severe problem in Scotland and that, with an increase of £600 million in market sales since 2009, the social costs will only continue to rise, and, in spite of great success with second-hand smoking, with exposure in public places having fallen to 7%, considers that the aim to reduce smoking and meet and maintain targets must remain a priority.

No recorded vote on this motion. Most motions are never debated, and many that are debated are agreed without a division. Vote records are published from 2011.

SNP 22 Lab 3

Party shown is each supporter’s party when the motion was published.

No contribution in the Official Report cites S4M-01702 by reference.