Scottish Government
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Endorsement of Euro tobacco plan
Minister for Public Health Shona Robison yesterday endorsed a 10-point plan for the future of tobacco control in Europe.
Closing an international smoke-free conference in Edinburgh, she also welcomed the findings of the research into Scotland's smoking ban unveiled yesterday.
Ms Robison gave her backing to a statement produced by public health experts and researchers on how Europe can continue to reduce smoking and exposure to second-hand smoke in years to come.
The 'Edinburgh Statement' will now be presented to the European Parliament for consideration for future no-smoking policies across the EU.
Some of the main points in the statement are:
- All people should be protected from secondhand smoke and all indoor workplaces and public places should be smokefree
- That all 196 countries who have signed up to the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control are urged to implement comprehensive smoke free legislation within five years
- The European Commission is invited to produce a proposal on how legislative safeguards against second hand smoke can be promoted in EU countries that have not introduced smokefree laws
- Governments are urged to monitor the activity of the tobacco industry and to consider tighter regulation and control of production
- Governments are urged to act on their responsibility to protect and discourage children and young people from starting to smoke
Ms Robison said:
"I am delighted to endorse the 'Edinburgh statement' and hope other countries across the world will follow Scotland's example and ban smoking in public places.
"This conference has given us proof positive that the smoking ban has been a resounding success and has had real benefits on Scotland's public health.
"The impact of the ban has included a reduction in heart attack admissions, reductions in exposure to second hand smoke and very high levels of compliance.
"That is why, subject to Parliamentary approval, the age of cigarette sales will rise to 18 from October 1.
"And our work doesn't stop there - next spring, we will be publishing a five-year smoking prevention action plan next year which will cover wide-ranging measures aimed at preventing and dissuading young people from taking up smoking in the first place and supporting those who want to quit.
"The Action Plan will draw on the 31 recommendations made by the Smoking Prevention Working Group in their report "Towards a future without tobacco" which we consulted on earlier this year.
"This will build on the success of the ban on smoking in public places. In particular, it will include targets to reduce smoking among young people. "
The Framework Convention on Tobacco Control is the first international treaty relating to health. To date, 196 countries have signed up to it.
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