Ahead of the 20th anniversary of Scotland’s smoke-free legislation coming into force on 26 March 2026, people in Edinburgh who quit smoking at the time are being encouraged by a campaigning health charity to share their stories.
ASH Scotland is urging people who stopped using tobacco to share their experiences about why the ban on smoking in enclosed public spaces helped to motivate their quit smoking attempts and how becoming tobacco-free has benefited their life.
Local residents who have quit smoking more recently are also invited to tell the charity ahead of No Smoking Day on 11 March what influenced them to stop and if they succeeded through personal determination or with the free expert support available from NHS Scotland’s Quit Your Way services.
Sheila Duffy, Chief Executive of ASH Scotland, said: “With two big celebrations coming up in March in the shape of No Smoking Day and then the 20th anniversary of Scotland’s leading smoke-free law, we would love to hear from people in Edinburgh about how living tobacco-free has boosted their health and personal finances.
“We are looking forward to hearing everyone’s success stories which could inspire others to try giving up smoking for the first time or to try again when they discover the methods and support that worked 20 years ago or in more recent years.”
Four writers from Edinburgh have been named as this year’s recipients of Scottish Book Trust’s 2024 New Writers Award.
Tutor Alice Rowena Wilson, writer and poet Shasta Hanif Ali, primary teacher Amie Robertson and journalist Sukhada Tatke were selected out of hundreds of entries to take part in this year’s mentorship programme.
Every year, Scottish Book Trust, the national charity changing lives with reading and writing, holds its prestigious year-long writer development programme to support burgeoning writers in Scotland. In addition to a £2,500 cash prize, awardees receive invaluable mentorship from established writers and industry professionals, a week-long retreat, and opportunities to showcase their work to key figures in the publishing world.
Since its launch in 2009, the New Writers Awards have had an extraordinary impact on publishing. Of the 212 awardees who have completed the programme, 96 have published their work, and 210 books have been published worldwide.
Previous awardees include Graeme Macrae Burnet whose 2015 novel His Bloody Project was shortlisted for the Man Book Prize.
Pakistani-Scottish writer Shasta Hanif Ali is a winner of the Edinburgh 900 Poetry Competition 2025 and the 2024 Candlestick Press Light Poems competition.
She’s also written and performed her poetry at Push The Boat Out Poetry Festival and Edinburgh’s International Book Festival amongst others.
She says: ‘I am delighted to receive the New Writers Award 2026 and grateful to the Scottish Book Trust for this opportunity. It’s come at just the right time for my writing and development. I’m looking forward to meeting the other awardees and being in community.’
Alice Rowena Wilson is originally from Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire and now lives in Edinburgh, where she works as a tutor. She was previously selected for the BBC New Creatives programme, in partnership with Arts Council England.
Her short drama was broadcast on BBC Radio 4 Extra in 2021. She is particularly interested in the intersection of the historical, the fantastical, and the imaginary.
Alice says: ‘I’m absolutely thrilled to receive this award. I was totally shocked when I got the call – I’d just woken up from a nap and thought it was a bizarre dream!
“I’m now looking forward to throwing myself into my writing this year, and making the most of this opportunity.’
Amie Robertson is a primary school teacher from Edinburgh, who specialises in children’s stories. Her stories weave a passion for Scottish history and mythology with the lived reality of her working-class background.
She has completed two writing courses at Edinburgh University, where her children’s picture book, My Secret Dragon was chosen for their writing showcase. She is working on her second middle-grade novel, inspired by historical Hebridean clans with an added touch of magic.
Amie says: ‘I am shocked and overjoyed to have won the Scottish Book Trust New Writers Award and cannot emphasise enough how much it truly means.
“It has given me the confidence and determination to go after my writing dreams, with the invaluable support and insight from those within the business. I just can’t wait to get started!’
Sukhada Tatke is an independent journalist and communications officer at a think tank. She was the inaugural recipient of this year’s The Kavya Prize, to support an emerging writer of colour.
Originally from Mumbai, India, she currently lives in Edinburgh. Her features have been published in Al Jazeera, Wired, BBC and Atlas Obscura, and essays in literary magazines such as The Rumpus, Literary Hub, Commonwealth Writers’ and Verseville. She is the recipient of several journalism awards and fellowships.
Sukhada says: ‘I am incredibly thrilled and honoured to receive this award. In what is often a solitary journey riddled with challenges and self-doubt, it is wonderful to get the kind of recognition that tells you you’re on the right path.
“I look forward to meeting my cohort and the many opportunities this award will bring.’
Marc Lambert, CEO of Scottish Book Trust, said:‘Congratulations to this year’s New Writers, each of whom were selected for this opportunity for their exceptional writing. It’s always incredible to meet our awardees as they start their year-long journey of receiving invaluable support and mentorship.
“We look forward to seeing the next steps in their writing journeys.’
Here is the full list of awardees:
Shasta Hanif Ali, poetry
EmmaClaire Brightlyn, spoken word
Alice Rowena Wilson, fiction and narrative non-fiction
Amie Robertson, children’s and young adult
Sukhada Tatke, Kavya winner
Donna Louise Irvine, Scots
David Ross Linklater, poetry
Andy Grace Edwards, fiction and narrative non-fiction
A leading national charity is calling on politicians from all parties to take urgent action in providing better support to those in the Armed Forces community.
Poppyscotland has today (Tuesday, February 10th) launched the charity’s second manifesto ahead of May’s Scottish Parliamentary elections.
The manifesto identifies five key areas for improving the support available for serving and ex-serving military personnel in Scotland. These include the expansion of the Armed Forces Covenant, Education, Childcare, Health and Housing.
The first key area Poppyscotland is calling for action on is keeping the Armed Forces Covenant Promise. This sets out the obligation that the Armed Forces community must not face disadvantage because of their service and that those who have given the most, including the injured and bereaved, receive special consideration.
Poppyscotland is also calling on the Scottish Government to implement a clear, accessible programme to promote the Armed Forces Covenant, backed by appropriate resources, practical guidance, and robust evaluation.
Another key area is support for Armed Forces families. Poppyscotland is calling on the Scottish Government to ring-fence funding for service children with additional support needs, to help address the specific challenges of Armed Forces life.
The manifesto also calls for the Scottish Government to actively promote participation in the GP Armed Forces and Veterans Recognition Scheme, which aims to improve identification and support for veterans within primary care.
Poppyscotland chair, Helen Owen, explained: “The 2026 election is an important opportunity for the new Scottish Parliament to prioritise the needs of the Armed Forces community.
“This manifesto provides clarity and focus around the issues we believe to be of greatest importance, as well as setting out in detail how we feel these recommendations can be taken forward by the next Scottish Government. It has been informed by evidence and experience and it is our hope that by working with all parties, we can ensure that the unique contribution of the whole Armed Forces community is given the recognition it deserves.”
Other recommendations focus on improving the quality of mental health support available to veterans; ensuring the needs of the Armed Forces community’s childcare requirements are met at a local level; and that the Scottish Government must build on its commitment to tackling and preventing homelessness for those who have previously served in the Armed Forces.
Poppyscotland provides life-changing support to the Armed Forces community. Money raised from the annual Scottish Poppy Appeal and the charity’s year-round fundraising enables Poppyscotland to deliver support to members of the Armed Forces community in Scotland by providing tailored support and funding.
Poppyscotland also funds services in advice, employment, housing, mental health and mobility.
Reconviction rate after Community Payback lower than short term sentences
The success of community-based sentences in reducing reoffending and paying back to society has been highlighted by Justice Secretary Angela Constance following the recently announced extra funding for alternatives to custody.
The Justice Secretary visited Mayfield & Easthouses Development Trust in Dalkeith where people carrying out unpaid work while serving a Community Payback Order (CPO) transformed the garden from wasteland and refurbished the café, which now uses fresh produce grown on site.
In addition to local community benefit from unpaid work, latest statistics show the reconviction rate for people sentenced to undertake CPOs is 28.4%, compared to 52.6% for those completing short prison sentences of one year or less .
Scotland’s overall reconviction rate of 27.1% is the fourth lowest on record in 25 years, with the average number of reconvictions per offender falling 14% over the past decade.
The Scottish Government is investing around £169 million in community justice services in 2026-27, including an additional £10 million to support diversion from prosecution, alternatives to remand, community sentencing and throughcare services.
Justice Secretary Angela Constance said: “It was great to see first-hand the fantastic work at Mayfield & Easthouses Development Trust, where the garden and café are brilliant examples of how community sentences create real, lasting benefits for local communities.
“The evidence is clear: community-based sentences are more effective than short prison sentences at reducing reoffending, contributing to fewer victims and safer communities. The recently-published Sentencing and Penal Policy Commission’s report echoed this view in some of its recommendations and the need to shift the balance to community justice.
“Community Payback Orders allow us to tailor support to individual circumstances, addressing the underlying causes of offending while ensuring people make amends to their communities. The Scottish Government’s continued investment in community justice reflects our commitment to shifting the balance from custody to community, giving people the best chance to turn their lives around while keeping people safe.”
Mayfield & Easthouses Development Trust manager, Sharon Hill, said: “Our work with the Community Payback Team helps us by giving us access to folks who can help us in a really practical way – whether that be by building, painting, moving or digging.
“The Community Payback Team benefit from seeing the positive impact of what they have done. It can give a sense of pride and purpose to everyone involved.”
As of 2nd February, there were 562 prisoners with overall sentences of 12 months or less 7% of the prison population. In 2023-24, 73% of short term sentences (under 4 years) imposed were for 12 months or less and 15% under 24 months.
SHARE YOUR VIEWS ON DRYLAW COMMUNITY OWNERSHIP PLANS
DNC are in the process of trying to buy the land that we sit on – we currently own the building, but not the land.
We would love to hear your views about this.
If you could spare ten minutes to complete our survey we would be most grateful.
This can be accessed at bit.ly/Drylaw
We are hosting two drop in events over the next week: one TONIGHT – Thursday 12th February from 6pm – 8pm and one on Monday lunchtime (16th February) between 10:30 – 1:00.
Please come along and view the space and give us your views.
We really would appreciate it.
Drinks and snack will be provided at both drop ins.
New educational tools to help children and young people understand the risks of the online world including artificial intelligence, online bullying and misinformation have been launched.
The resources have been developed by a group of young people from across Scotland to help keep children safe online. It is part of a project called ‘Amplifying Child Safety Online’, being delivered by the NSPCC in partnership with the Scottish Youth Parliament (SYP).
The work is being led by 10 young people, including Members of the Scottish Youth Parliament (MSYPs), who have called themselves Digital Safety Ambassadors.
They have created a set of videos, posters and an educational session plan to support children and young people and professionals who work with them, with child safety online.
To produce these tools, they led workshops with groups of young people from regions across Scotland over the past 12 months, to explore their experiences of being online and the challenges they face in staying safe.
Other topics the groups have discussed include social media and body image, grooming and talking with strangers, hate speech, scams, and keeping personal information private.
The Digital Safety Ambassadors also worked with the NSPCC’s Voice of Online Youth, a group of 14 young people aged 13-17 from across the UK, and youth engagement groups in Northern Ireland and Wales to identify common issues across the devolved nations and ensure that young people’s voices and their views about online safety are heard and considered.
They hosted an online event last November to showcase the child online safety tools they have developed. This marked an important step in connecting young people’s lived experiences with those in positions of power. With the project now available to the wider public, the co-designed materials will be used to raise awareness of the risks young people face online, and support influencing opportunities with decision-makers.
Catriona, MSYP for Falkirk East, said: “I got involved in this project because young people are online so much and social media is such a core part of our lives, so it’s an important topic to target.
“Young people should be safe online, but this isn’t the case. The online world and social media can be a great thing, and I don’t think we should stop young people from using it, but more needs to be done by tech companies and politicians to make sure children don’t see inappropriate content.
“I hope this project can make people more aware of the issues that children face online and they are vulnerable to harm.”
Arianna Gagnon, MSYP for Clydebank and Milngavie and Digital Safety Ambassador, said: “Online safety is such an important issue because young people get exposed to inappropriate content.
“We need to be aware of risks because we’ve grown up with the digital world and it’s a significant part of our lives.
“I hope this project helps to create a safer space online for young people. We’d like to make decision makers more aware of what young people are experiencing online and to realise that online safety is a big issue. I don’t think it’s a big enough priority just now.”
Joanna Barrett, NSPCC Associate Head of Policy for the Nations, said: “Children have a right to be safe online and to have their voices heard on the issues that matter most to them.
“This project has provided an opportunity for the young people to make their views and insights on tackling online harms and improving digital safety heard by decision-makers and those with responsibility for child safety online.
“We hope this will empower decision-makers to shape policy and practice that reflects the realities facing young people online.”
Mary-Martha Dickie, MSYP for Girlguiding Scotland and Digital Safety Ambassador, said: “I first got involved in the project because I noticed how reliant we are towards social media and the potential risks it creates.
“It’s been great to meet with a wide range of young people and work together to find out how we can enjoy the online environment whilst ensuring our safety is guaranteed.”
Nathi, Digital Safety Ambassador, said: “I got involved in this project because I saw how social media really impacts young people – it’s part of our everyday lives.
“This project has helped me to see social media in a better light and recognise some of the risks. It’s been great to use our experiences to help other people.
“Hearing young people’s views from different regions of Scotland was so interesting. I was surprised by how knowledgeable they were on so many topics such as artificial intelligence, misinformation and body image.
“Young people aren’t safe online just now, especially younger audiences. We need to make it safer so they can still access it because it’s not all bad. It can also be useful for learning and studying.”
Sonia said: “A lot of young people aren’t aware of how to stay safe online.
“I think young people’s safety online needs to be more of a priority. Children are our future and it’s our duty to keep them safe.
“I’ve learned about the importance of taking responsibility by being part of this project and the value of participation. It’s great to get the chance to have an impact and I feel very grateful for the opportunity to do such valuable work.
“I hope decision makers listen to and take us seriously and that they introduce measures to make sure children are safer online in future.”
A new Road Safety Scotland and Scottish Government campaign is urging drivers in Edinburgh to keep their minds on the road, warning that even a moment’s distraction can lead to devastating consequences.
The campaign also highlights how far a vehicle can travel in just a second or two when concentration slips, with drivers unaware of the danger they pose to themselves and fellow road users.
At the same speed, with a two-second glance at a phone you will lose around 54 metres, equivalent to the length of four double-decker buses.
At 30mph, looking away for four seconds to update a sat nav also covers around 54 metres – greater than the length of an Olympic swimming pool.
At 30mph, with three seconds of distraction caused by something outside the vehicle, you will miss around 40 metres – approximately the length of ten cars.
The warning follows research showing 80 per cent1 of road users, including drivers and pedestrians, admitted their mind had wandered while using the road.
A total of 42 per cent2 admitted they had zoned out on a journey and couldn’t quite remember how they got to their destination.
The consequences of lack of proper attention can be devastating, with over one in five distracted drivers reporting a collision with another vehicle (16 per cent3) or a pedestrian (5 per cent3).
Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop urged all road users to keep their minds on the road: “All road users, but especially drivers, have a responsibility to stay focused on the road and make sure they are aware of other road users at all times.
“This research shows how easy it is for both drivers and pedestrians to become distracted, and the consequences of these distractions have the potential to be devasting. It’s important to ensure our attention always remains firmly on the road.”
The impact of everyday distractions on drivers and pedestrians was reflected in the research behind the campaign. Of the road users who said they experienced distraction, over a third (38 per cent4) said thinking about other activities, tasks and plans was a regular cause.
After weather, drivers cited not knowing their route well (36 per cent), being tired (32 per cent), being in a hurry (25 per cent), and being worried or stressed (23 per cent) as the things that affect them most while driving.
The campaign is encouraging drivers and pedestrians across Edinburgh to reflect on their own journeys and the everyday distractions that can take their attention away from the road.
The Scotland-wide campaign will run across TV, radio, digital and outdoor channels.
Major milestone in delivering faster access to care
Patients will have access to GP-led care on the same day without an appointment as the First Minister opens the first of a new network of walk-in services.The new services will make it easier for people to get urgent care for medical issues while easing pressure on GP practices and hospitals.
The Scottish Government is investing £36 million into a pilot programme which will see a further 14 services established across Scotland.
First Minister John Swinney has opened the country’s first GP walk-in clinic at Wester Hailes Healthy Living Centre, marking a significant step forward in the government’s efforts to strengthen primary care.
Speaking ahead of his visit, Mr Swinney said: “I know how important access to urgent medical care is for people, and how important it is for people to get the right care, in the right place at the right time.
“Our network of walk-in GP-led services will ensure people get the care they need at a time that works for them – and opening this first clinic is a major milestone as we continue to deliver trusted leadership for our health service.
“Open seven days per week from 12pm-8pm, these walk-in clinics will deliver over one million additional GP and nurse appointments, making it easier than ever for people to access urgent care when they need it most.
“With GP numbers up, long waits down, record numbers of hip and knee operations and 15 new walk-in GP clinics opening in Scotland, it is clear we are making progress in our NHS – and I am determined that we will continue to drive forward improvements.”
Tracey McKigen, Director of Primary Care for NHS Lothian, said: “We are proud to be launching this pilot service in collaboration with the Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership.
“It will add to the range of health services in Wester Hailes and make it easier for local patients registered with eight eligible GP practices in southwest Edinburgh to get same day care for new, urgent conditions.”
The walk-in clinic at Wester Hailes Healthy Living Centre is open every day from 12 noon to 8pm with no appointment needed.
During the pilot phase, the service is available to patients registered with a group of local GP practices in southwest Edinburgh.
Depending on clinical need, patients may see a GP or Advanced Nurse Practitioner.
With a fantastic roster of brand-new blockbusters and familiar favourites, there’s plenty for the whole family to enjoy at Vue this Scottish half term.
Follow Will, a small goat with big dreams, who gets a once-in-a-lifetime chance to join a professional roarball team – a high, intensity co-ed, full contact sport dominated by the fastest and fiercest beasts in the animal kingdom – in the animated comedy GOAT.
From the artists behind the worldwide sensation KPOP Demon Hunters, this film promises a slam dunk of animal antics when it arrives on 13 February – just in time for the half term break.
Also heading to Vue on 13 February is the stunning animated tale Little Amélie, nominated for Best Animated Feature at both this year’s Academy Awards and BAFTA’s. This enchanting story about curiosity, courage and the power of human connection is based on The Character of Rain, the best-selling autobiographical novel by Amélie Nothomb, following a young Belgian girl’s life living in Japan.
Meanwhile, an adorably family twist on the horror classic Frankenstein is screening this half term, with the arrival of Stitch Head. Set in a castle laboratory formally owned by a Mad Professor, we meet his very first creation, Stitch Head – a kind-hearted monster who takes it upon himself to teach the other creations from being quick so monstrous.
Vue will also be screening The Scarecrow’s Wedding and The Smeds and Smoos as part of their Big Shorts screenings from 9 February, as well as the return of recent favourite Spongebob: Search For Squarepants, which will be shown at 10am every day across half term as Vue’s Mighty Morning screening.
General Manager at Vue in Edinburgh, said: “There’s plenty to get excited about heading to the big screen this February, just in time for the half term break.With a whole host of fantastic new releases, recent favourites and family stories tailor made for the big screen, there’s no better place to enjoy quality family time this February.
“Even better, our Vue Mighty Mornings at 10am, will continue to show the latest kids’ films at just £2.49 a ticket if purchased online and £3.49 in venue. Parents and children can come along, immerse themselves in great stories and switch off.”
