Chamber
Plenary, 21 May 2008
21 May 2008 · S3 · Plenary
Item of business
Smoking Prevention Action Plan
I will try to assist you in that, Presiding Officer.
I welcome the minister's statement and thank her for providing an advance copy. I join her in commending the action plan, which is excellent. We entirely agree with many of the measures that are proposed, which follow the advances that have been achieved through the national ban on tobacco advertising and the ban on smoking in public places, which was a landmark for the UK.
There are worrying signs of a growing gap between the genders in relation to smoking habits. Some 12 per cent of 15-year-old boys smoke, whereas around 18 per cent of 15-year-old girls smoke. That needs to be addressed. I welcome the new targets for 16 to 24-year-olds, which will focus minds usefully.
The Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland and ASH Scotland have both expressed concern to me about the new system of funding through local authorities. According to REHIS, there is evidence that
"the funding may not even reach Environmental Health Departments, let alone be used specifically in support of smoke-free legislation."
In the context of proposed legislation and the emphasis on test purchasing, will the minister say how she will secure with local authorities clear agreements on delivery?
My second and final question relates to budgets. According to Scottish Government replies to parliamentary questions, the smoking cessation budget has been reduced from £601,000 to £500,000 and will flatline, the voluntary sector budget is being reduced from £770,000 to £737,000 and will flatline, and the communications budget is being reduced from £601,000 to £500,000 and will flatline. How will that approach support the Government's proper emphasis on the problem of smoking through smoking cessation measures, through support for the voluntary sector—which delivers for young people in particular—and through focused communication?
I welcome the minister's statement and thank her for providing an advance copy. I join her in commending the action plan, which is excellent. We entirely agree with many of the measures that are proposed, which follow the advances that have been achieved through the national ban on tobacco advertising and the ban on smoking in public places, which was a landmark for the UK.
There are worrying signs of a growing gap between the genders in relation to smoking habits. Some 12 per cent of 15-year-old boys smoke, whereas around 18 per cent of 15-year-old girls smoke. That needs to be addressed. I welcome the new targets for 16 to 24-year-olds, which will focus minds usefully.
The Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland and ASH Scotland have both expressed concern to me about the new system of funding through local authorities. According to REHIS, there is evidence that
"the funding may not even reach Environmental Health Departments, let alone be used specifically in support of smoke-free legislation."
In the context of proposed legislation and the emphasis on test purchasing, will the minister say how she will secure with local authorities clear agreements on delivery?
My second and final question relates to budgets. According to Scottish Government replies to parliamentary questions, the smoking cessation budget has been reduced from £601,000 to £500,000 and will flatline, the voluntary sector budget is being reduced from £770,000 to £737,000 and will flatline, and the communications budget is being reduced from £601,000 to £500,000 and will flatline. How will that approach support the Government's proper emphasis on the problem of smoking through smoking cessation measures, through support for the voluntary sector—which delivers for young people in particular—and through focused communication?
In the same item of business
The Presiding Officer (Alex Fergusson):
NPA
The next item of business is a statement by Shona Robison—Interruption. Could we please have some order in the chamber? The next item of business is a statem...
The Minister for Public Health (Shona Robison):
SNP
I am pleased to announce the publication today of our new action plan, which sets out a longer-term strategic approach to smoking prevention activity in Scot...
The Presiding Officer:
NPA
Members will realise that we are under considerable time pressure. I am keen to call all members who want to ask questions, so I ask all members, including f...
Dr Richard Simpson (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab):
Lab
I will try to assist you in that, Presiding Officer.I welcome the minister's statement and thank her for providing an advance copy. I join her in commending ...
Shona Robison:
SNP
I thank Richard Simpson for his supportive comments.The disparity between boys' and girls' smoking levels is a reason for the new more specific targets, whic...
Jackson Carlaw (West of Scotland) (Con):
Con
I am still trying to get my head around what Robert Brown imagines Eskimos wear when they go swimming.I add my customary thanks to the minister for advanced ...
Shona Robison:
SNP
I confirm our belief that parents have a critical role—of course we want to involve them. As part of our emphasis on denormalisation of smoking, we need to i...
Ross Finnie (West of Scotland) (LD):
LD
I thank the minister for the advance notice of her statement. Clearly, in common with all members, the Liberal Democrats support the continuation of measures...
The Presiding Officer:
NPA
Very briefly, please.
Ross Finnie:
LD
Sorry—I will be quick. Christine Grahame's consultation on her proposed member's bill on the issue sets out the case for a positive licensing scheme while ac...
The Presiding Officer:
NPA
I am not sure that Mr Finnie's definition of "briefly" and mine are exactly in tune.I caution members please not to use the second person singular. I do not ...
Shona Robison:
SNP
I say to Ross Finnie that there will be no delay. We will legislate at the earliest legislative opportunity, which is likely to be in 2009-10. There is no qu...
The Presiding Officer:
NPA
We come to questions from back-bench members. Ten members wish to ask questions and I have 10 minutes to fit them in, so that is fairly simple.
Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP):
SNP
My question will be brief because Ross Finnie has asked part of it. I turn to the comments on the proposed legislative scheme. Minister, now that you have sa...
The Presiding Officer:
NPA
Second person singular, Ms Grahame.
Christine Grahame:
SNP
Minister, can you tell me—
The Presiding Officer:
NPA
No—you should say, "Can the minister tell me", not, "Can you tell me". I am the only "you".
Christine Grahame:
SNP
I beg your pardon—I must learn. I will start again.First, can the minister tell me the difference between registration and licensing? I feel so inhibited now...
The Presiding Officer:
NPA
Please continue.
Christine Grahame:
SNP
This is taking ages.Will the minister keep an open mind in relation to my proposals? I intend to publish the responses to the consultation on my proposed mem...
The Presiding Officer:
NPA
Briefly, please.
Christine Grahame:
SNP
My proposals are much more radical and would deal with vending machines. Will the minister give due consideration to the responses to my consultation?
Shona Robison:
SNP
The debate on Christine Grahame's member's bill proposal has been useful and has helped to bring to the surface many of the licensing issues. It will certain...
Margaret Curran (Glasgow Baillieston) (Lab):
Lab
Will the Scottish Government introduce a debate on this subject, given that we have had a curtailed time in which to discuss it this afternoon?In the drive t...
Shona Robison:
SNP
I will take the last question first. The new targets focus very much on smoking rates among girls and boys so that we can monitor the success of targeting in...
The Presiding Officer:
NPA
I ask for strictly one question per member from now on, please.
Kenneth Gibson (Cunninghame North) (SNP):
SNP
I warmly welcome the minister's comprehensive statement and the publication of the smoking action plan. Astonishingly, a minority of people, particularly you...
The Presiding Officer:
NPA
A question, please.
Kenneth Gibson:
SNP
That might contribute to the gender gap. Can the minister clarify what specific steps will be taken to tackle myths among young people such as the those that...
Shona Robison:
SNP
I absolutely agree that those are crucial elements. The overarching aim is to change the image of smoking and to denormalise smoking. Improvements in substan...