Asthma UK Scotland welcomes plans to raise legal age for buying tobacco
17 September 2007

Gordon Brown, Public Affairs & Communications Manager at Asthma UK Scotland, says:

‘We are delighted that the Scottish Government has taken another step forward in tackling the damage tobacco can do. We know that smoking is bad for everyone’s health, but this is especially true for people with asthma.

‘If you smoke and have asthma you are increasing your risk of an asthma attack, could be permanently damaging your airways and could be blocking the benefit of your asthma medicines.

‘Also, if you smoke as a teenager you are increasing the risk of your asthma persisting so we hope that by raising the age at which people can buy tobacco, significantly fewer people will start this dangerous habit.’

1. For further information, contact the Asthma UK Scotland Office on 0131 226 2544 or email gbrown@asthma.org.uk
2. A copy of the Audit Scotland report can be downloaded at http://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/publications/index.htm
3. Asthma UK is the charity dedicated to improving the health and well-being of the 5.2 million people in the UK whose lives are affected by asthma. Asthma UK Scotland is dedicated to improving the health and well-being of the 390,000 people in Scotland whose lives are affected by asthma.
4. For up-to-date news on asthma, information and publications, visit the Asthma UK website asthma.org.uk.
5. For independent and confidential advice on asthma, call the Asthma UK Adviceline, which is staffed by asthma nurse specialists. It is open weekdays from 9am to 5pm on 08457 01 02 03. Or email an asthma nurse at asthma.org.uk/adviceline.