Parent must stop children smoking

Parents should be aware that children who smoke face years of tobacco addiction and that may lead to life-threatening diseases and premature death, warn the British Medical Association in Scotland.

BMA Scotland has also called on MSP to support the proposals contained in the Tobacco and Primary Medical Services (Scotland) Bill, to try and reduce children’s exposure to tobacco products.

Findings in a new survey show that although it is illegal to sell cigarettes to children under the age of 18, a massive 42 per cent of 13 year old smokers, and 57 per cent of 15 year old smokers reported being able to buy fags from a shop.

Chairman of the BMA in Scotland, Dr Peter Terry said: “It is essential that cigarettes are made less accessible to children. Banning point of sale displays and getting rid of tobacco vending machines will go some way to doing this.

“Smoking causes lung cancer, heart disease and respiratory problems. It ages skin, makes your breath smell and stains fingers yellow. Every day doctors witness the death and despair caused by smoking.

“We need to break the tobacco trap. Young smokers will become tomorrow’s parents who smoke and they will continue the cycle of smoking-related ill-health.”