Doctors In Scotland Welcome New Bill That Protects NHS General Practice And Tackles Tobacco Sales

Main Category: Smoking / Quit Smoking
Article Date: 27 Feb 2009 - 2:00 PDT

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BMA Scotland welcomed the publication of the Tobacco and Primary Medical Services (Scotland) Bill.

Doctors are pleased that the Bill seeks to help reduce the devastating impact of tobacco on Scotland and protects NHS general practice by keeping patient care before profit.

Commenting on plans to crack down on the promotion of tobacco products, Dr Peter Terry, Chairman of BMA Scotland said: "The BMA welcomes the measures outlined in the Bill that will put an end to the loopholes that allows tobacco to be advertised to our children. It is a fact that displays at point of sale normalise tobacco use and act like advertising. Now that we understand the dangers of tobacco and see the devastation that tobacco causes, this can not be allowed to continue. We therefore welcome the Government's approach to stop point of sale advertising.

"Young people have easy and unrestricted access to tobacco from vending machines. One in ten regular smokers aged 13 and 15 illegally buy tobacco from vending machines in Scotland and English data also suggests that adolescents find it is easier to buy cigarettes from vending machines than from shops. We are pleased the Bill includes proposals to put a stop to this illegal access to tobacco.

"The Parliament must now step up and put health before the commercially driven interests of the tobacco industry."

With regard to the primary medical services section, Dr Dean Marshall, Chairman of BMA Scotland's GP committee said: "The measures proposed in this Bill seek to protect NHS general practice and are very welcome. General Practice, delivered under the auspices of the NHS will ensure that patient care comes before profit and patients can be assured of continuity of care."

Link to the Tobacco and Primary Medical Services (Scotland) Bill.

BMA