NHS Lothian is urging teenagers who smoke to kick the nicotine habit as the Scottish government bans tobacco sales to people under 18.
The legal age for buying cigarettes or other tobacco products in Scotland is being raised to 18 from the 1st of October (today).
A new advertising campaign by NHS Lothian will urge people to take advantage of a wide range of stop smoking services provided for young people.
Judith Mann, the Stop Smoking Manager for Edinburgh’s Community Health Partnership, said: “Our new campaign on buses in Lothian will run for a month and aims to attract people to our website where they can get lots of information on how we can help them break their habit. We hope using the website, www.nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk, will prove popular with young people.
“The campaign also includes advertising both within cinemas in West Lothian and work with Livingston Football Club.
“Stop Smoking services across Lothian regard young people as a priority group in their work and are gearing up for increased interest in the wake of the law change. A new specialist adviser for young people in Edinburgh is about to be appointed to join colleagues already tasked with supporting teenagers in stopping smoking.”
Judith Mann continued: “We hope that raising the minimum age limit will not only encourage people in the 16 -18 age group to stop smoking, but will be seen as a strong message to the wider community to give up smoking.
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Contact: Stephen Fraser
Phone: 0131 536 9279
