Commenting ahead of today’s seminar on tobacco and inequalities in Glasgow, Sheila Duffy, chief executive, ASH Scotland said:

“Smoking is a major cause and symptom of health inequalities.  Affluent areas in Scotland can see smoking rates of less than 20 per cent, but in deprived areas, rates can be more than double that. And deaths due to smoking are correspondingly higher, with for example the Greater Glasgow & Clyde area seeing a third of early deaths amongst 35-69 year olds directly attributable to smoking.”

She said there is a need to tackle tobacco as a society and that NHS smoking cessation services must remain a public health priority, adding:

“ASH Scotland would like to see cessation services more available and accessible throughout Scotland, especially in our low income communities where smoking rates are highest.  Services need to reach all kinds of disadvantaged groups and give the right kind of support.” 

ASH Scotland will use the seminar to launch the evaluation of its ‘Tobacco and Inequalities’ pilot projects, which were aimed at providing innovative support for minority ethnic communities, older adults and mental health service users.

“We know from our pilot projects within excluded communities that smoking cessation services can help people to quit when they engage with them on their terms.  Health professionals need support to reach people in the most appropriate way.  For example, minority ethnic communities use tobacco in different ways, and mainstream information campaigns do not seem to be getting their message across to all communities.

“Research shows, too, that older adults can see a big difference in their health when they quit at any age, but sometimes health professionals assume that older long-term smokers are too set in their ways and don’t raise the issue with them. 

“More work is needed to make sure that smokers get the best help when they are trying to quit.”

Public Health Minister Shona Robison, who will also address the seminar, said that helping people stop smoking and stopping people from starting in the first place has the greatest potential for improving health in Scotland.

“Following on from the success of the ban on smoking in public places we want to continue the work to make Scotland a smoke free society.

“The challenge now is to ensure our message reaches all Scots and helps reduce the gap in health inequalities between Scots from affluent areas and those from deprived communities. The Tobacco and Inequalities Project is an important part of this and has developed a range of resources which will help to target harder to reach communities.”

She added that the Scottish Government would soon be publishing its 5-year smoking prevention action plan, which she said will focus on making cigarettes and other tobacco products less affordable, accessible and attractive to children and young people.