New analysis reveals cuts in smoking cessation aids in NHS Scotland

A report published today by the British Lung Foundation highlights a sharp decline in stop smoking aids being prescribed by GPs and pharmacists across Scotland, just weeks after the Scottish Government announced new plans to create a “smoke-free” generation in Scotland by 2034. 

“Less help to quit: What’s happening to stop smoking prescriptions across Britain” also highlights the lack of clear data for prescription of these treatments in the last 2 years, despite Scottish Government promises that statistical information on stop smoking services should be “fit for purpose”.

The report’s findings include:

• A 40% drop in stop smoking aids prescribed between 2012-2013 and 2014-15 across Scotland.
• Over the same period, the number of current smokers in Scotland reduced by 4% – well below the decrease in prescription of stop smoking aids.
• Changes in data collection mean that data for 2015-16 and 2016-17 is not available in the same format – so we don’t know if nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) drugs are helping more people to quit.

The British Lung Foundation is calling on the Scottish Government to ensure that stop smoking budgets are protected in real terms over the next 5 years, to prevent more people from developing long term lung conditions.

Commenting on the report, Joseph Carter, Head of British Lung Foundation Scotland, said: “Our research shows that the Scottish Government’s proposals to curb tobacco use do not reflect the reality of the options on offer for smokers who want to kick the habit. 

“The steep decline in the use of nicotine replacement therapy drugs by NHS Scotland over 2 years is deeply concerning. The Scottish Government has ramped up the rhetoric on curbing tobacco use, but our report clearly demonstrates that cuts are being made to prescribing effective treatments that do just that.

“If Scotland is to stub out smoking in a generation, then high quality, clinically effective smoking cessation services must be accessible across all health boards. The new Cabinet Secretary must make a firm commitment to protect stop smoking budgets from cuts over 5 years and we encourage her to make that commitment today.”