This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
Listen
Smoking debate open to youth
15/06/2004
A smoking in public places resource on the Young Scot:
Loud and Clear message board was launched today, to allow
12-18-year-olds across Scotland the chance to have their
say.
Scotland's young people have much to contribute to the
debate on smoking in public places, according to Deputy
Health Minister Tom McCabe.
The move follows the launch of the Executive's public
consultation on the issue.
Meeting with young people at Kilwinning High School, the
Minister said:
"Scotland's young people are the future of this country
and we ignore their voices at our peril.
"Smoking is an issue that many feel strongly about and I
would like to congratulate Young Scot and NHS Health
Scotland for taking the initiative and giving our young
people the opportunity to make their feelings known.
"As this initiative is rolled out over the summer,
young people will have the opportunity to participate in
on-line discussion boards, workshop sessions, text message
voting and other activities. They will also be able to
respond directly to the national consultation.
"I would like to take this opportunity to further
encourage the Scottish people to make their voices heard as
part of this vital consultation.
"As the single biggest cause of preventable premature
death and ill-health in Scotland, smoking is an issue that
affects us all. It is now estimated that around 13,000
Scots die every year from smoking-related illnesses.
"We have pledged to increase the number of smoke-free
areas in Scotland, and legislation is obviously an option,
but all options that come out of the consultation will be
duly considered.
"Second-hand smoke is, without doubt, a significant
health hazard and something that our young people ought to
be protected from. More and more young people are aware of
the links with lung cancer and other potentially lethal
respiratory conditions.
"Though smoking in teenage boys is decreasing, smoking
levels among teenage girls remain far too high. In the
Tobacco Control Action Plan we announced a communications
programme to inform people of the dangers of smoking. It is
vital that everyone is aware of the facts and know the
risks."
Louise Macdonald, Deputy Chief Executive of Young Scot
added:
"Young Scot aims to give young people the chance to
connect with and have their say on the issues that affect
them. By working in partnership with the Scottish
Executive, NHS Health Scotland and local authorities, young
people can influence the policies that shape their
world."
People can get involved in the consultation by logging
on to
www.smokingconsultation.com
or phoning 0800 027 7127 for a consultation pack and
response form.
In 2002, it was thought that around 1.15 million people
(aged 16 and over) smoked - just over 28 per cent of the
population. It is estimated that at least 20-25 per cent of
all deaths in Scotland result from smoking. Scotland has
the highest rates of lung cancer in Europe for both men and
women, with most cases caused by smoking.
www.youngscot.org
is the national youth information portal for Scotland's
young people. It was launched in May 2002 to provide young
people with the crucial information they need to get the
most out of life.
In-depth consultation work will be carried out in
partnership with the four local authorities involved in the
project - Dundee, Highland, Dumfries and Galloway and North
Ayrshire.