Call for more action to stub out smoking

Call MORE has to be done to discourage smoking across the Lothians, a city charity has said.

ASH Scotland welcomed news of a drop in smoking, with the total number to drop to around 20 per cent by the end of the year. But the organisation said there was plenty of room for improvement.

Chief executive Sheila Duffy said: "While there is no doubt that in the last decade Scotland has become a world leader in tobacco control, and major inroads have been made in encouraging smokers to quit and preventing young people from starting, Scotland's history of particularly high rates of smoking mean there is still work to be done.

"While 13,500 adult deaths are due to smoking every year, we have a duty to reduce the toll tobacco takes on Scotland's public health.

"In particular, smoking in Scotland's most deprived areas remains a major problem especially as it is a key contributor to low life expectancy. This is leading to an increasing health inequalities gap which must be addressed."