By Lucy Ashton
MSP Jackie Baillie has offered her support to smokers struggling to kick the habit. The politician sponsored campaign group ASH Scotland’s 50th anniversary celebrations in the Scottish Parliament recently.
The charity, which aims to secure a smokeless Scotland, was behind the landmark ‘Time for a tobacco-free Scotland’ event at Holyrood.
Jackie also commended the organisation’s efforts in advocating for progressive legislation, including the 2006 ban on smoking in public places, which was a significant milestone on Scotland’s journey to reducing smoking rates.
The Dumbarton MSP, right, 
herself a former smoker, reached out to residents of her constituency who are thinking of kicking the habit, urging them to unlock free support available.
Jackie Baillie MSP said: “I was delighted to host an event in the Scottish Parliament to celebrate ASH Scotland’s 50th anniversary where I reflected on how proud I was that cross-party MSPs have worked together to pass progressive legislation to protect many people from the health harms caused by tobacco, including the public smoking ban which was introduced in 2006 and is helping to make significant progress in reducing smoking rates across the country.
“There is still much work to do, however, as smoking related inequalities persist with 25 per cent of adults in Scotland’s most deprived areas smoking compared to 7 per cent in the least deprived, and I commend the charity for seeking opportunities to work collaboratively in communities as part of its Charter for a Tobacco-free Generation initiative aiming to reduce the use of tobacco and related products.”
She added: “As a former smoker, I am pleased to be supporting ASH Scotland’s ‘Quit and Win’ campaign and urge anyone in Dumbarton who is thinking of stopping smoking to contact the free Quit Your Way Scotland service which provides vital person-centred advice and support to help people to progress towards a tobacco-free life which will benefit your health, fitness, family and finances.
“So whether you’re trying to give up smoking for the first time or trying again, make a commitment to yourself and those you care about to contact Quit Your Way Scotland, and I wish you well for your journey to a healthier future.”
Adult smoking prevalence in Scotland was at 47 per cent when ASH Scotland was founded by the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, in 1973, and fell to 15 per cent in 2022.
Sheila Duffy, Chief Executive of ASH Scotland, said: “We much appreciate Jackie Baillie MSP’s backing for our charity’s work through sponsoring our parliamentary reception celebrating our special 50th anniversary and also supporting our ‘Quit and Win’ campaign.
“Tobacco is still the biggest cause of preventable death in Scotland but people in Dumbarton can have a brighter future by giving up smoking. Quitting tobacco increases the opportunity to live a healthier life through halving the risk of developing lung, mouth, throat, pancreas, bladder, oesophagus and larynx cancer after five to 10 years, and an average smoker will save more than £3,000 within 12 months of stopping smoking.
“By using expert stop smoking support, such as that provided for free by NHS Scotland’s Quit Your Way service, you can increase your chances of successfully quit smoking by three to four times.”
Anyone who has the goal of giving up smoking is advised to contact visit at QuitYourWay.scot or call the free helpline on 0800 848484.
For details about ASH Scotland’s Charter for a Tobacco-free Generation, go to www.ashscotland.org.uk/charter