MEASURING PROGRESS
National smoking reduction targets
The targets originally set in the white Paper Towards a Healthier Scotland were updated in the tobacco action plan A Breath of Fresh Air for Scotland to reflect action in the plan. The current targets are:-
- To reduce smoking among young people (aged 12-15) from 14 per cent to 12 per cent between 1995 and 2005 and to 11 per cent by 2010.
- To reduce the proportion of women who smoke during pregnancy from 29 per cent to 23 per cent between 1995 and 2005 and to 20 per cent by 2010.
- To reduce smoking among adults (16-64) from an average of 35 per cent to 33 per cent between 1995 and 2005 and to 29 per cent by 2010.
Inequalities targets
In order to step up action to reduce health inequalities the Executive announced new targets aimed at increasing the rate of health improvement for the most deprived communities by 15 per cent by 2008. This includes two new smoking reduction targets:-
- To reduce smoking during pregnancy in the most deprived areas from 35.8 per cent in 2003 to 32.2 per cent in 2008.
- To reduce the smoking rate for adults aged 16-64 in the most deprived areas by 10.9 per cent from 42.1 per cent in 2003 to 37.5 per cent in 2008.
Monitoring and evaluation
Routine monitoring of cessation activity is through the national web-based data collection system, managed by Information and Statistics Division, which went live at the end of May but will gather data from April 1, 2005. Wider accountability is through the Performance Assessment Framework.
In a letter dated January 17, 2006, to NHS Board Chief Executive's and others involved in cessation, Health Minister Andy Kerr summarised the latest situation on how the performance of cessation services was being managed in all parts of Scotland.;