NHS Scotland Stop Smoking Services fall short of target

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader and health spokesperson Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP has warned that efforts to deliver a smoke-free Scotland are falling short as new figures released today showed that NHS Scotland Stop Smoking services only achieved 74% of their target for helping people to stop smoking.

The new figures also reveal that only Western Isles and Dumfries & Galloway met their yearly targets. NHS Shetland and NHS Borders achieved less than 50% of their yearly targets, with Lothian, Lanarkshire and fife also performing poorly.

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 our NHS already under immense pressure, 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 these Stop Smoking services help more people quit and meet the standards set."