Chamber
Plenary, 21 May 2008
21 May 2008 · S3 · Plenary
Item of business
Smoking Prevention Action Plan
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 sight of what is, undeniably, a busy statement. The minister rightly states that she intends to focus on actions to deter young people from smoking, noting that smoking commences in the teenage years. Does she share my view that education to curtail that trend needs to start earlier than that? In addition to the bodies that she mentioned in her statement, parents too must be made aware—whatever their practice—of their responsibility to discourage yet another generation from becoming smokers.
We welcome the action regarding proof of age and more rigorous enforcement. However, in terms of drawing up her strategy on retail premises, will the minister take into account the concerns of small retailers? Typically, only one person is on duty in such outlets and all the stock on sale is on view and to hand. If the retailer is required to take their attention from the store in order to retrieve items from a concealed area, such retail premises may be made open to increased incidence of theft.
We share the minister's view that the more administratively simple a licensing scheme is, the better. However, anyone of any age can access products from vending machines. The minister's committing merely to look at sales from vending machines is possibly the weakest component of her statement. Why is that component so weak?
I add my customary thanks to the minister for advanced sight of what is, undeniably, a busy statement. The minister rightly states that she intends to focus on actions to deter young people from smoking, noting that smoking commences in the teenage years. Does she share my view that education to curtail that trend needs to start earlier than that? In addition to the bodies that she mentioned in her statement, parents too must be made aware—whatever their practice—of their responsibility to discourage yet another generation from becoming smokers.
We welcome the action regarding proof of age and more rigorous enforcement. However, in terms of drawing up her strategy on retail premises, will the minister take into account the concerns of small retailers? Typically, only one person is on duty in such outlets and all the stock on sale is on view and to hand. If the retailer is required to take their attention from the store in order to retrieve items from a concealed area, such retail premises may be made open to increased incidence of theft.
We share the minister's view that the more administratively simple a licensing scheme is, the better. However, anyone of any age can access products from vending machines. The minister's committing merely to look at sales from vending machines is possibly the weakest component of her statement. Why is that component so weak?
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...