Young scots `most proudї to be smoke-free as iconic image unveiled

Young people are most proud that Scotland is leading the way on smoke-free legislation, according to a Scottish opinion poll commissioned by Cancer Research UK published today (Tuesday 14 March 2006).

Eighty-four per cent of 18-24 year olds think that ‘a smoke-free Scotland is something to be proud of’ compared to 79% overall. Support for the health move is also higher among women in Scotland, with 81% expressing pride that Scotland will be the first country in the UK to go smoke-free, compared to 76% of men.

To help people show their pride, Cancer Research UK is launching an iconic poster campaign to mark the historic step. The posters show a stubbed out cigarette, crushed into the shape of Scotland, with the phrase ‘Smoke-free and proud’ underneath.

The image will appear on poster sites, in press, in pubs and on buses across Scotland in the lead up to the introduction of smoke-free legislation on 26th March. An A4 poster will also be available, free of charge, from all Cancer Research UK shops in Scotland so people can show their support by displaying the image in windows at home or work.

Professor Gerard Hastings, Director of Cancer Research UK’s Centre for Tobacco Control Research at Stirling University, said: “Scotland is right to be proud of leading the way with smoke-free public places.

“Making Scotland’s public places smoke-free will save many thousands of lives in Scotland over the next 10 years due to people being protected from secondhand tobacco smoke and smokers deciding to quit.

“This is worth celebrating and I hope people will join in by picking up a poster from their nearest Cancer Research UK shop and displaying it with pride.”

The poster campaign will be supported by an innovative Scotland-wide radio campaign in which a smoker’s cough is transformed into ‘Flower of Scotland’ played on the pipes.

The Cancer Research UK poll shows that almost everyone in Scotland is aware that change is coming; 76% ‘definitely’ know legislation is imminent, with those in the 25-34 age group being best informed (82% compared to 76% average.)

The survey, carried out among more than 1000 adults across Scotland, also indicates that a third of smokers think that the ban will encourage them to quit.

Support for the ban varies across regions with strongest support in the Highlands and Islands and in Lothian and Borders where 74% ‘totally support’ the smoking ban. Females are slightly more likely to ‘totally support’ the ban, (73%), than men, (67%).

ENDS

For more information, please contact:

Ali O’Neale, Cloudline Consulting, 07889 016094 or Martin Raymond, Cloudline Consulting, 077 1000 8831

A high-resolution image of the poster is available to download by clicking on the image below: