Scotland slips behind in the race to control tobacco (says ASH, Australia)

I almost feel sorry for Michael Matheson, but not quite. The story tells how a visiting speaker to Edinburgh University from ASH Australia this week will rebuke the Scottish Government for falling behind in the race to tobacco control. She perhaps does not realise that the Scottish Government does not have legislative competence to bring in plain packaging, which is reserved to Westminster. She accuses ministers of being afraid to stand up to tobacco companies, whose lawsuits have delayed the implementation of tobacco display and vending machine legislation. Matheson expostulates (reasonably enough) that he can't stop the tobacco companies challenging their legislation in court.

Another accusation bears a second look:

“Almost one in four people in Scotland smoke. The cost to Scotland in terms of lives lost, NHS bills, healthcare and other related costs is staggering,” [Anne Jones] said.

 One in four seems to be used quite frequently:

• One in four babies is born to a mother that smokes.
• One in four adults in Wales smokes.
• One in four smokers who started as teenagers die in middle age as a result of their habit.
• Smoking accounts for one in four cancer deaths.
• In 2004, the most recent year for which we have data, it was estimated that almost 13,500 deaths - nearly one in four of all deaths in Scotland - were attributed to smoking.

Best of all is this:

• Within the UK, historically, smoking rates have been higher in Scotland than England and Wales, but in 2004, the prevalence was similar in all three countries, at about one in four adults. 

It would show quite clearly that the impact of tobacco control policies in Scotland has barely changed the picture in smoking prevalence in Scotland over the last few years – if there were evidence that the smoking rate was based on anything more reliable than a figure plucked out of the air.

Matheson should not be distressed by this hurtful display of one-upmanship from the Australian branch of ASH. Tobacco control laws are nothing to be proud of, especially when characterised by absurd races to be ahead of other countries.