Briggs fuming as smoking’s on the rise in Scotland

Scottish Conservative Health Spokesperson, Miles Briggs, has accused SNP Ministers of failing to do enough to support people to stop smoking.

The number of estimated smokers in Scotland has risen for the first time in seven years, increasing from 806,817 in 2017/18 to 808,829 in 2018/19.

Prior to this, there was a downward trend in the number of smokers across Scotland with the estimated number of smokers falling from over a million in 2012/13.

In addition, spending on smoking cessation campaigns by SNP Ministers has been sporadic over the last seven years with spending fluctuating between £588,230 in 2015/16 to £55,223 last year.

The annual cost to NHSScotland of treating smoking related diseases is estimated to exceed £300m and may be higher than £500m each year.

Scottish Conservative Health Spokesperson, Miles Briggs, has said that SNP Ministers will have to properly fund smoking cessation campaigns if they are going to get anywhere close to reaching their own goal of a ‘smoke free’ Scotland by 2034 (link).

The Conservative MSP for Lothian Miles Briggs, said: “These figures demonstrate that SNP Ministers are failing to make the progress needed to support people giving up smoking.

“In the last year the estimated number of smokers has risen, breaking the downwards trend in the number of people in Scotland who smoke.

“Smoking related diseases cost Scottish tax payers hundreds of millions of pounds each year and money spent on preventative measures is well spent. We must not forget that smoking is still the leading cause of cancer in the Scotland.

“SNP Ministers must ensure consistent funding for smoking cessation campaigns and renew efforts to support people to give up smoking.”