The government has emphasized concerns relating to the increasing number of non-smoking adolescents using e-cigarettes. Proposed measures include limiting advertising through leaflets, in-store media, and free or discounted samples. Government consultations concluded at the end of last month, but a date for the publication of results has yet to be determined.
In 2017, the Scottish government announced the development of a tobacco plan to achieve a "smoke-free" status by 2034. At that time, a survey conducted by the University of Edinburgh and NHS Health Scotland aimed to determine the effectiveness of efforts to reduce smoking. The results revealed that while local tobacco control strategies were having an impact, smoking remained an issue within low-income communities.
Evidence suggests the positive impact of tobacco policies, from display bans that remove tobacco from sight in small shops and supermarkets, to the introduction of smoke-free areas in NHS premises, said Dr. Garth Reid, Chief Public Health Advisor at NHS Health Scotland.
Garth added that the smoking rate in Scotland's poorest areas remains the highest, with 35% of people living in these areas being smokers, compared to 10% in more affluent areas. He further stated that there is a clear need for further action to reduce inequalities in smoking.
The role of electronic cigarettes in reducing smoking rates.
Meanwhile, at a roundtable discussion held in 2021 on reducing tobacco harm (THR), experts discussed the role of electronic cigarettes in achieving Scotland's locally set smoke-free deadline of 2034.
Donald Cameron MSP, the health spokesperson for the Scottish Conservative Party, emphasized the importance of implementing reliable processes to determine the potential benefits of e-cigarettes. This must be based on data, science, and research. "We all know there are conflicting claims," he said at a roundtable discussion.
Some people claim that e-cigarettes help in reducing smoking, but for every paper that proves this point, there is another one showing the opposite conclusion. I believe that having a good understanding of the facts is crucial, particularly in terms of how it's applied in Scotland.
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