Why ASH Scotland does not support a ban on smoking in the home Reply

Back in the office this morning after a few days off covering the school holidays. The first thing demanding attention is a slew of media articles along the lines of “Ban smoking at home, say Scots campaigners”.

Most smokers want to stop – that’s not changing 4

A common theme of this blog is that smoking is largely a matter of inequality. Now it is time to turn this around and say that action on smoking is a matter of social justice.

Surviving or Thriving? Mental health awareness week Reply

For this blog post, ASH Scotland’s Chief Executive, Sheila Duffy, writes for us about smoking and mental health. This year’s Mental Health Awareness week runs from 8^th to 14^th May, with a theme of “Thriving or Surviving?” The organisers should be congratulated for seeking to look beyond poor mental health and to stimulate a discussion on what can make us well and help keep us well. I was especially drawn to the focus on “what steps we can take to look after our mental health, building resilience to cope with the demands of life?”

Why ASH Scotland is supporting Financial Capability Week Reply

When 40% of adults say they are not in control of their finances and a further four in ten have less than £500 in savings, it’s clear the UK is facing a financial capability crisis which requires a collective response. Smoking has a huge impact on people’s finances, including for many who say that they want to stop. That is why ASH Scotland is supporting Financial Capability Week (14-20 November 2016), and our Development Lead for Inequalities, Tracey Rogers, blogs for us about this:

The vicious cycle of smoking and inequality Reply

We already know that people who are strained financially are more likely to smoke, and that it takes money out of their pockets and their communities. 

Time to break the status quo which is killing thousands of people each year 5

Sometimes ignoring a problem doesn’t make it go away. Sometimes the problem will just fester away in the background. It may not get worse, but what if the problem in question is leading to the early deaths of thousands of people each year in Scotland alone?

Health survey results – food for thought or more smoke and mirrors? 1

My enthusiasm for government health surveys is, I suspect, a rather niche interest. Yet this week’s announcement of the annual Scottish Health Survey did cause more hearts to flutter than most.

What we want from a 10-year mental health strategy 1

The Scottish Government is now consulting on plans for a 10-year mental health strategy for Scotland. 

Failing to close this gap will cost thousands of lives 1

This blog has recently featured several stories on the strong links between smoking and mental health.

Today being election day today I’m moved to write one last short piece on the subject, feeling that there is one last itch that needs to be scratched.

You’d expect something to be done about this Reply

Let’s consider a really damaging scenario. A situation that really could not be ignored.

Imagine that a multinational drug company launched a new medication which promised rapid, short-term relief from stress, anxiety and boredom. It generally has to be administered many times through the day but those using it report that they find it to be effective.