One person in Scotland dies from smoking every 40 minutes, says charity
One person dies from smoking in Scotland every 40 minutes, according to analysis carried out by a cancer charity.
The study by Cancer Research UK, shows smoking remains the leading cause of death in the country, with the ill-effects of tobacco inhalation believed to be responsible for about a third of the nation’s cancer deaths each year.
The analysis, released today to mark World No Tobacco Day, also found one person is admitted to hospital in Scotland every six minutes due to smoking.
The charity believes the Government’s forthcoming tobacco control action plan – expected to be published later this year – is an opportunity to take bold action and support more people to give up smoking in Scotland for good.
It also says introducing a Smoke-free Fund – where the tobacco industry pays for the harm it causes – could make a dramatic difference in driving down smoking rates.
Cancer Research UK is now urging people in Scotland to sign a petition for the UK Government to establish the fund.
The charity’s public affairs manager for Scotland, Dr Sorcha Hume, said: “The Scottish Government must ensure that its refreshed tobacco control action plan, expected in 2023, includes bold measures to reduce smoking and inequalities.
“We need more Government action so young people don’t start smoking and more funding for the measures and services needed to help people quit.
“This World No Tobacco Day, we are urging people in Scotland to sign our petition to call on the UK Government to establish a Smoke-free Fund which would make the tobacco industry pay for the harm it causes.
“And we encourage the Scottish Government to work with Westminster to help make this happen.”
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “A range of world-leading tobacco control measures have already been introduced in Scotland which are steadily reducing the proportion of people smoking.
“We are committed to a tobacco-free Scotland by lowering smoking rates in our communities to 5% or less by 2034.
“Achieving this ambitious target will allow us to protect children born since 2013 so that when they turn 21 they will be tobacco-free and will come of age in a Scotland that will remain tobacco-free for generations to come.”
A poster appeal in aid of Cancer Research UK’s petition can be seen in their shops across Scotland. People can show their support by scanning a QR code in shop windows or signing the petition online.