§ Mr. Home Robertsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish statistics showing recent trends in the use of cigarettes and other tobacco products; and if he will make a statement on the implementation of the Protection of Children (Tobacco) Act 1986 in Scotland.
§ Mr. John MackayThe currently available statistics are as follows:
(1) Prevalence of smoking among adults aged 16 and over in Scotland (a) Year Men Women Per cent. Per cent. 1978 48 42 1982 45 39 1984 43 35
(2) Prevalence of smoking among secondary schoolchildren in Scotland (Smoking more than one cigarette a week) (b) Year Boys Girls All Per cent. Per cent. Per cent. 1982 15 14 15 1984 16 17 16 Details of the Protection of Children (Tobacco) Act 1986 were circulated to general managers of health boards by circular NHS 1986(GEN)21 of 2 October 1986. The circular was also sent to chief constables, directors of education, directors of social work, health education officers, procurators fiscal, regional reporters to children's panels and regional chairmen of children's panels. Statistics on the number of offences under section 18 of the Children and Young Persons (Scotland) Act 1937 are not separately identifiable in the Scottish Home and Health Department statistics.
Sources:
- (a)General Household Surveys.
- (b)Office of Population Censuses and Surveys Reports on Smoking among Secondary Schoolchildren 1982 and 1984.