Just 2 of 14 health boards currently on track to meet smoking target

The new figures reveal that only Western Isles and Dumfries & Galloway look to be on track to meet their individual targets.

Commenting, Mr Cole-Hamilton said:   

“These figures demonstrate just how far the government is falling behind its own targets. Smoking claims the lives of thousands across Scotland every year, predominantly in the most deprived areas of the country.  

“With enormous pressures weighing down on our NHS day after day, helping people take preventative action to quit is now more vital than ever before.

“Liberal Democrats were instrumental in delivering the ban on smoking in public areas and in cars with children, but further progress is being stifled and delayed by a lack of government support.  

“The Scottish Government needs to work with health boards and urgently set out how it will enable more of those boards to make vital progress."