PROPOSAL FOR NICOTINE PATCHES ON THE NHS

NICOTINE patches and gum should be avallable on NHS prescriptions to less
affluent patents in an attempt to cut the number of smoking-related deaths,
campaigners say.

The proposal by the Health Education Board for Scotland (HEBS) and Action
on Smoking and Health (ASH), is one of a series of measures suggested to
reduce the country's high numbers of nicotine-related deaths and diseases.

The plan was put forward as part of the Smoking Cessation Policy for
Scotland paper, which was published yesterday. If introduced, it would make
Scotland the only country to have nicotine replacement therapy (NRT)
available on the NHS.

Figures produced by the campaigners showed that if just 15 per cent of
Scotland's smokers were given NRT, it would cost A32 million a year, a
fraction of the A3140 million spent annually treating smoking-related
diseases. It is estimated the expenditure would result in 27,000 people
quitting, at a cost of A380 for each person who gave up.

HEBS and ASH Scotland want to see changes in the way tobacco problems are
tackled and perceived. Instead of blaming the smoker, the habit should be
recognised as an addiction and addicts supported in their efforts to stop.

The campaigners say 67 per cent of Scotland's 1.4 million smokers want to
quit but - compared with treatment services for other addictions - there is
an absence of specialist help and support for smokers. The policy document
calls for nicotine to be regulated like other addictive substances.

Professor Keith Fox, the chairman of ASH Scotland, who is also a
consultant cardiologist, said: "We want to see a level playing field for
NRT products. They have to go through regulatory hoops whilst the most
dangerous of all nicotine delivery systems, the cigarette, is largely
unregulated."

According to the campaigners, 35 cent of Scots smoke, but only 15 per cent
of professional people do so. This means 70 per cent of Scotland's less
affluent groups, including children and young people, are addicted.

ASH and HEBS say the cost of NRT, which is available in chemists, is
prohibitive to people on low incomes, putting it beyond the reach of those
most in need.

David Campbell, the chairman of HEBS, said, "Nicotine replacement therapy
has been shown to be a safe and effective way of helping people to quit
smoking. Research shows use of NRT approximately doubles cessation rates.

"Yet those living in deprived areas, who are most addicted to nicotine and
have the highest smoking rates, currently have little access to NRT
products. We are calling for NRT to be made available on prescription."

Mr Campbell's views received backing from doctors and nursing leaders. Dr
Brian Potter, the secretary of The British Medical Association in Scotland,
said: "As part of an overall policy to help people to give up smoking, we
strongly support the move to get nicotine replacement therapy on
prescripion."

June Andrews, the Scottish secretary of the Royal College of Nursing, said:
"One of the key challenges for the new Scottish parliament is to encourage
smoking cessation initiatives, such as nicotine replacement therapy and
primary care services to support people who want to give up smoking."

The policy document calls for an appropriate level of support to be given
to each smoker who wants to give up, including counselling and advice from
GPs, nurses and in schools.

It suggests a clinic for stopping smoking in every health board area and
that the lottery-funded healthy living centres, proposed in the recent
green paper on public health, would be suitable bases.

Although the paper was welcomed by Sam Galbraith, the Scottish Office
health minister, no action is likely to be taken until the Government
publishes its white paper on tobacco this autumn. He said: "Let us be clear
about this - smoking kills Scots. It particularly affects Scots who live in
deprivation. I want that to stop."