Behind The Smokescreen - Why Scotland Needs Further Legislation On Tobacco

Main Category: Smoking / Quit Smoking
Article Date: 31 May 2009 - 0:00 PDT

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BMA Scotland has published a series of briefing papers providing evidence to support further legislation to crack down on tobacco promotions and ban cigarette vending machines in Scotland. The BMA is calling on MSPs to support the proposals contained in the Tobacco and Primary Medical services (Scotland) Bill and urging them not to be swayed by the 'scaremongering' tactics of the tobacco industry and retailers.

In order to achieve a smokefree Scotland by 2035, BMA Scotland wants to see a robust approach to tobacco control in order to reduce the number of teens who smoke. Many of the organisations who oppose the bill, including NACMO, Forest and the Tobacco Retailers Alliance are primarily, if not exclusively, interested in the profits of the members that fund them, including the big tobacco companies. While it may appear to some that they have valid points to make on behalf of their members, it is crucial to remember that their primary motivation in this debate is financial.

Dr Peter Terry, Chairman of the BMA in Scotland, said:

"The tobacco industry is funding a smokescreen of flawed arguments to try and dissuade MSPs from supporting this Bill.

"It is essential that cigarettes are made more less accessible to children. Banning point of sale displays and getting rid of tobacco vending machines will go some way to doing this.

"We need to break the tobacco trap. Young smokers will become tomorrow's parents who smoke and they will continue the cycle of smoking-related ill-health.

"The facts speak for themselves - introducing this legislation will protect children and help prevent them from starting to smoke. The reality is that children who smoke face years of tobacco addiction that can lead to life-threatening diseases and premature death."

Source
The British Medical Association

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