Support to help people stop smoking
4 Jan 2006There will be more support than ever before for people who try to stop smoking in 2006 - the year the ban on smoking in enclosed public places comes into force.
First Minister Jack McConnell, visiting the 'Pitstop' project in Addiewell, West Lothian, outlined details of a funding package that will provide additional support to help people in some of Scotland's most deprived communities to stop smoking.
He said:
"This year will be a year of great change across Scotland. The ban on smoking in public places is a far reaching and ambitious step that will help many people to stop smoking as well as protect many more from the harmful effects of second hand smoke.
"If ever there was a time to stop smoking, 2006 is that time. We are increasing the money available to the NHS to support people who want to quit but, crucially, in less than three months time we will prevent smoking in all enclosed public places in Scotland.
"This is really important. I know that smokers who are trying to quit find it most difficult to stay off cigarettes when they are out having a drink or a meal or are in the company of smokers.
"I know how difficult it is to stop smoking. It is much more than just kicking a habit. But I also know how an individual's health can be transformed by stopping smoking and how much more productive Scotland could be if fewer people smoked.
"That is why this year the government will be supporting Scots who want to quit smoking more than ever before.
"I don't underestimate how difficult it is. But this is the best decision any smoker can take. The improved services to help people stop smoking that we are putting in place in communities across Scotland, combined with the introduction of our ban in March make 2006 the best year yet to finally stop smoking."
The Pit Stop in Addiewell opened a year ago. It provides the local community with a gym, soft play area, internet access, printing facilities, credit union and a general meeting place to complement its smoking cessation services.
It prides itself on being built, organised, owned, run and managed by the local community and it adjoins the local miners' welfare club.
In Scotland, over 13,000 people die every year from smoking related diseases; the equivalent of 250 a week or 35 a day. Around 70 per cent of Scots don't smoke and of those who do, around 70 per cent want to give up.
The First Minister announced in March 2005 that additional smoking cessation funding of £2 million would be made available in 2006-07, then a further additional £2 million in 2007-08, bringing the total available to £11 million per annum.
These resources are available across all NHS areas, but with a particular focus on areas with the highest prevalence of smoking.