Tobacco Facts.

Six times as many Scots die from smoking than from road and other accidents, murder, suicide, falls and poisoning combined, according to anti-smoking campaigners.

People who die from smoking-related diseases are the “silent victims” of a major epidemic, it was claimed, but if someone is killed in a crash or other violent incident it becomes newsworthy.

The claims were made as shopkeepers, often backed by the tobacco industry, and health campaigners square up over proposals to control the sale of tobacco.

The main issue is a proposal to ban tobacco displays beside cash registers which small newsagents and other corner shops claim will hit them in the pocket.

The government is also planning to ban cigarette-vending machines as part of efforts to deter youngsters from becoming smokers.

Figures obtained by the anti-smoking group Ash Scotland show that in the period 2003-04, 13,473 people died from smoking-related illnesses, compared with just 2,082 from traffic accidents, murders, suicides, accidents, falls and poisonings.

There were revealed by Ash Scotland chief executive Sheila Duffy at the Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland annual conference in Ayr.

She told delegates: “Figures for Scotland show that smoking-related diseases kill six times as many people as accidents, including traffic accidents, homicide, suicide, falls and poisoning put together.

“If someone is killed in a road accident, murdered, takes their own life or dies as a result of a poisoning, it’s a newsworthy event. People take notice.

“The 13,500 Scots who die from tobacco-related illnesses every year are the silent victims of a major health epidemic.

“One in four of all Scottish deaths are estimated to be smoking-related.

“It’s a staggering figure, and a tragic waste of life.”

Ms Duffy warned of a David and Goliath fight against the giant tobacco companies.

She said tobacco companies still manage to advertise their product, the only known substance to kill half its long-term regular users, with marketing and displays in every corner shop, petrol station and supermarket.

She said that the tobacco industry was fighting “tooth and nail” at Holyrood to stop the government’s plans.

Ms Duffy added: “After all, 15,000 Scots take up smoking every year, continuing to replace those who quit or die.”

© Copyright: Pressandjournal

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