Just 2 of 14 health boards meet smoking target

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton has said the Scottish Government are running out of puff as he revealed that yet another health service target has been missed – this time for helping people to quit smoking.

The Scottish Government’s target was for NHS smoking cessation services to achieve 7,026 successful quits in the most deprived areas in 2022/23. However new figures released this week reveal that there were just 4,877 quits last year and only 2 of 14 health boards have met or exceeded their target for helping people to quit smoking.

Figures from Public Health Scotland reveal:

• In the financial year 2022/23, NHS Scotland achieved 69% (4,877 quits out of 7,026) towards the required annual Local Delivery Plan (LDP) Standard.

• Only Western Isles (140%) and Dumfries & Galloway (144.7%) have met their individual targets.

• The worst performing health boards were Shetland (36.8%), Lothian (42.2%) and Grampian (52.1%).

Commenting, Mr Cole-Hamilton said:

“This yet another area where the SNP/Green government is completely failing to meet its own targets.  

“Smoking claims the lives of thousands across Scotland every year, predominantly in the most deprived areas of the country. Every person that is helped to quit reduces the burden on our NHS.

“Liberal Democrats were instrumental in delivering the ban on smoking in public areas and in cars with children, but further progress is being choked off.

“It’s clear that this is a government that is running out of puff. Ministers are tired and out of ideas and it is time for a change.

“The country needs a Scottish Government which will work with health boards to make vital progress in tackling smoking.”