Calls for action to stub out smoking among poor

Published on Friday 8 August 2008 10:26

ANTI-smoking campaigners have called for more to be done to reduce the number of people who smoke in deprived areas.

ASH Scotland was reacting to the 2007 Scottish Household Survey, which highlighted the greater percentage of people who smoke in poorer parts of the country.

Chief executive Sheila Duffy said: "The publication of the 2007 Scottish Household Survey shows a slight decline in the number of people smoking in Scotland down from 25 per cent in 2006 to 24.7 per cent last year.

"However, the relationship between smoking and deprivation is again highlighted, with 43 per cent of people in the most deprived areas lighting up, compared to just 12 per cent in the more affluent.

"The figures clearly demonstrate smoking prevalence declines as deprivation reduces. Although it is good news smoking rates are continuing to fall overall across Scotland, more needs to be done to narrow the gap between the 'haves' and 'have nots' in our society."

Smoking remains the biggest preventable killer in Scotland. Only 46 per cent of smokers say they enjoy good health, compared to 57 per cent of non-smokers.