Many health care organisations and charities are working together to reduce the harm done by smoking. This work is often referred to as ‘tobacco control’ and includes a range of activities and initiatives intended to help smokers quit and to protect people from the danger of second-hand smoke. It also includes programmes to encourage people – particularly children and teenagers – not to take up the habit in the first place.
The 2003 report Reducing tobacco related harm: A key to transforming Scotland's health examined the current smoking trends in Scotland, summarised the evidence on smoking and tobacco-related harm (such as the dangers of second-hand smoke), considered various policies, and recommended future action that should be taken in Scotland.
It recommended:
This report led to the publication by the Scottish Executive of Scotland’s first ever Tobacco Control Action Plan. This plan is the main reference point and policy context for all tobacco-related work in Scotland. It will therefore be useful to health professionals working with smokers, teachers providing tobacco education in schools and all others who might be interested in tobacco policy generally.