Action to stub out smoking

MEASURES to discourage young people from smoking in the Lothians should lead to more decreases in smoking rates, a city charity has said.

Latest figures show fewer than a quarter of Scots now smoke and Edinburgh-based ASH Scotland said the "welcome" trend should continue.

Chief executive Sheila Duffy said: "That is why work being done to tackle smoking through prevention and cessation services is essential and must be maintained."