Next steps towards a smoke-free Scotland

On the first anniversary of raising the legal age to buy cigarettes, Public Health Minister Shona Robison pledged there will be no let up in the Scottish Government’s drive to make Scotland smoke-free.

Since 1 October last year, shopkeepers have been banned from selling cigarettes to under 18s. The move followed hard on the heels of Scotland’s landmark decision to ban smoking in enclosed public places.

Ms Robison said: “We’re determined to do all we can to improve the nation’s health and cutting smoking levels is one of the most important steps we can take.

“Raising the age for cigarette sales has sent out a clear message to young people about the risks associated with smoking.
“I know that young people themselves were supportive of our plans to raise the age and I hope that statistics will show that fewer young people are now starting smoking.

“In our smoking prevention action plan, we outlined the next steps in our drive to further reduce smoking levels. This includes making cigarettes less accessible and attractive by restricting their display in shops. These changes will all help us to achieve our goal of a smoke-free Scotland.”

Welcoming the anniversary, Sheila Duffy, chief executive of ASH Scotland, said: “Last year ASH Scotland welcomed this measure as an important step on the road to tackling youth smoking rates. It has since been followed up by an ambitious blueprint for concerted action to prevent children from taking up smoking.

“As we continue to move towards a smoke-free future, I look forward to working with children and young people to engage their creative energies in the vital task of youth smoking prevention.”

Brian Thomson, 22, from Galashiels, said: “I think raising the age to buy cigarettes from 16 to 18 is a really good idea.
“I have been smoking since I turned 16 and only really started because there was a group of us at school who all hung around together and sneaked out to smoke at breaks and after school.

“If I had been a bit older I would have been more able to make up my own mind and would probably not have started, or at least not started just to be considered one of the lads. I would have had a better understanding of what smoking can do to your health and fitness also - my fitness for football certainly suffers now.

“I am now finding it quite tough to stop smoking as it has been a habit of mine for so long, but I intend to keep trying.
“I think anything that makes it more difficult for young people at an impressionable age to easily take up smoking can only be a good thing.”

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