Chamber
Plenary, 21 May 2008
21 May 2008 · S3 · Plenary
Item of business
Smoking Prevention Action Plan
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, which will help us to monitor progress on that front.
On funding for enforcement, an additional £4.5 million for local authorities will be allocated under the terms of the concordat between the Scottish Government and local government. We are in the process of agreeing a set of outcomes with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, local authorities and the Society of Chief Officers of Trading Standards in Scotland, which will ensure a consistent approach to enforcement. Test purchasing programmes will be part of that.
I will tell Dr Simpson about outcome measures that we are considering. We are, for example, considering an increased target for enforcement activity at retail level under which 10 per cent of tobacco retailers would be subject to test purchasing, with that figure increasing to 15 per cent by 2011. The targets that we expect local authorities to deliver under the terms of the concordat are specific and, of course, authorities are very keen to deliver. In putting together the proposals, we had a close working relationship with COSLA, whose member authorities are very much signed up to the process.
On the smoking cessation budget, I say again to Richard Simpson, for the sake of clarity, that the Government is investing £33 million over the next three years. That compares to £27 million over the previous comprehensive spending review period, so the budget increase is £6 million. We want to use the resource to target people better, including young people. Thus far, the experience of delivering smoking cessation activity to groups, particularly young people in more deprived communities, has not been good. We want to get that right.
I also say to Richard Simpson that, as part of our agreements with the community pharmacy sector, we are looking to extend access to smoking cessation support and to complement the wider range of smoking cessation services that health boards provide to help smokers to successfully stop smoking. We are working with community pharmacists across Scotland to provide a national smoking cessation service as part of the public health service element of the new contract. All that adds up to good input into smoking cessation.
The disparity between boys' and girls' smoking levels is a reason for the new more specific targets, which will help us to monitor progress on that front.
On funding for enforcement, an additional £4.5 million for local authorities will be allocated under the terms of the concordat between the Scottish Government and local government. We are in the process of agreeing a set of outcomes with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, local authorities and the Society of Chief Officers of Trading Standards in Scotland, which will ensure a consistent approach to enforcement. Test purchasing programmes will be part of that.
I will tell Dr Simpson about outcome measures that we are considering. We are, for example, considering an increased target for enforcement activity at retail level under which 10 per cent of tobacco retailers would be subject to test purchasing, with that figure increasing to 15 per cent by 2011. The targets that we expect local authorities to deliver under the terms of the concordat are specific and, of course, authorities are very keen to deliver. In putting together the proposals, we had a close working relationship with COSLA, whose member authorities are very much signed up to the process.
On the smoking cessation budget, I say again to Richard Simpson, for the sake of clarity, that the Government is investing £33 million over the next three years. That compares to £27 million over the previous comprehensive spending review period, so the budget increase is £6 million. We want to use the resource to target people better, including young people. Thus far, the experience of delivering smoking cessation activity to groups, particularly young people in more deprived communities, has not been good. We want to get that right.
I also say to Richard Simpson that, as part of our agreements with the community pharmacy sector, we are looking to extend access to smoking cessation support and to complement the wider range of smoking cessation services that health boards provide to help smokers to successfully stop smoking. We are working with community pharmacists across Scotland to provide a national smoking cessation service as part of the public health service element of the new contract. All that adds up to good input into smoking cessation.
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...