§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what percentage of teenage(a) boys and (b) girls in Scotland was smoking tobacco (i) in 1988 and (ii) at the most recent date for which figures are available. [44021]
§ Mr. GalbraithThe information requested is detailed in the table. The most recent year for which figures are available is 1996.
Percentage of teenage smokers in Scotland by sex: 1988 and 1996 Percentage 1988 1996 Boys Regular smokers 10 14 Occasional smokers 4 8 Girls Regular smokers 14 14 Occasional smokers 6 9 Source:
Social Survey Division of the Office for National Statistics
§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what the estimated gross cost of anti-smoking campaigns in Scotland aimed at children and young people has been since 1988; and what assessment he has made of the impact of the campaigns on teenage(a) boys and (b) girls. [44020]
§ Mr. GalbraithSince its inception in 1991, the main responsibility for mounting national anti-smoking campaigns has rested with the Health Education Board for Scotland (HEBS)—information on expenditure prior to that is not held centrally. Details of expenditure in this area since 1991–92 are set out in the table, which shows the total amount spent on all anti-smoking activities and the proportion attributable to the teenage population (many of the campaigns are not targeted at any specific age group).
261W
Expenditure by HEBS on anti-smoking campaigns aimed at teenagers since its inception £ Year Total expenditure on smoking (actual) Expenditure attributable to teenage smoking 1991–92 431,020 Not available 1992–93 2,254,513 993,000
Expenditure by HEBS on anti-smoking campaigns aimed at teenagers since its inception £ Year Total expenditure on smoking (actual) Expenditure attributable to teenage smoking 1993–94 1,469,816 883,000 1994–95 790,424 432,000 1995–96 851,616 341,000 1996–97 702,077 270,000 1997–98 743,504 330,000 1998–99 1708,000 236,000 1 Intended Activities and outputs by HEBS are subject to extensive developmental research and are implemented only if the approaches in question have been proven to be effective. Activities are also the subject of post-implementation evaluation to confirm that the message has been communicated successfully. The relatively high response rate to the HEBs Smokeline by teenagers suggests that the messages are being received and responded to. There has been no gender-based assessment by HEBS of the impact of its campaigns on teenagers.