Chamber
Plenary, 18 May 2006
18 May 2006 · S2 · Plenary
Item of business
Reduced Ignition Potential Cigarettes
Speaker
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That the Parliament acknowledges that deaths resulting from fires, of which there were 99 in 2004, are a major concern in Scotland; recognises that they are significantly higher in Scotland than the rest of the United Kingdom and that the majority of fire deaths in Scotland occur in the West of Scotland; notes with concern that smoking materials are one of the leading causes of fires in Scotland and that 50% of all smoking-related fire deaths occur in the West of Scotland; believes that the Scottish Parliament should commit to actively pursuing policies aimed at reducing the number of fire deaths in the West of Scotland and within Scotland as a whole; recognises the role that Reduced Ignition Potential (RIP) cigarettes, commonly referred to as fire-safe cigarettes, could play in reducing damage to property as well as the overall number of fires, fire injuries and fire deaths; supports the implementation of a new fire safety law that would require all cigarettes sold in Scotland to be RIP cigarettes; welcomes the decision of the Chief Fire Officers' Association in Scotland to support the call for the introduction of fire-safe cigarettes; congratulates Canada and New York for introducing such laws and recognises that the introduction of fire-safe cigarettes would have a significant and positive impact on the number of fire fatalities in Scotland, and believes that the Scottish government should bring forward legislation to introduce this fire safety measure as soon as possible in the hope that Scotland can truly say RIP to fires caused by cigarettes.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Murray Tosh):
Con
The final item of business is a members' business debate on motion S2M-4091, in the name of Stewart Maxwell, on reduced ignition potential cigarettes. The de...
Motion debated,
That the Parliament acknowledges that deaths resulting from fires, of which there were 99 in 2004, are a major concern in Scotland; recognises that they are ...
Mr Stewart Maxwell (West of Scotland) (SNP):
SNP
In 2004, some 7,420 fires occurred in homes in Scotland. Those fires resulted in 1,858 non-fatal casualties and 76 fatalities. Of the 76 deaths, 30 were caus...
Dr Jean Turner (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (Ind):
Ind
I thank Stewart Maxwell for securing the debate tonight. I will speak from my experience as a general practitioner and as the daughter of parents who smoked....
Mr Brian Monteith (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Ind):
Ind
Stewart Maxwell's motion is interesting and seems well intentioned. Although no one wishes to do anything that would increase the dangers of cigarette smokin...
Mr Maxwell:
SNP
Will the member give way?
Mr Monteith:
Ind
No—I must carry on.I am not convinced that such cigarettes will be acceptable to the public. As I said, I do not smoke cigarettes; however, I have spoken to ...
Stewart Stevenson (Banff and Buchan) (SNP):
SNP
It gives me much pleasure to lock horns once again with Brian Monteith on the subject of smoking. I suspect that, as in the past, we will remain implacable o...
The Deputy Minister for Justice (Hugh Henry):
Lab
Stewart Maxwell has secured a useful debate on an important and significant issue. It is right to draw attention to the fact that the number of fire-related ...
Mr Monteith:
Ind
I am not sure whether I heard the minister correctly. He seemed to be ascribing all the deaths to passive smoking. I am sure that he meant that they were att...
Hugh Henry:
Lab
I referred to 1,000 deaths a year arguably being associated with passive smoking.I acknowledge that there are huge cultural issues to be addressed. Jean Turn...
Mr Maxwell:
SNP
I accept that all factors must be taken into account and that we must be careful to ensure that the laws that we introduce do not interfere, but from all the...
Hugh Henry:
Lab
That would have to be factored into any debate. I raised the point and although I am not sure that the arguments are as conclusive as that, I am not saying t...
Mr Monteith:
Ind
I welcome the minister's balanced approach to the subject, although I recognise that we come from entirely different points of view. His point is well made. ...
Hugh Henry:
Lab
Any move in such a direction needs to be carefully considered. We must reflect on all the relevant factors and, where possible, avoid the unintended conseque...
Meeting closed at 17:34.