25 Years with Michael Matheson MSP

Michael Matheson reflected on Scotland’s significant progress in tobacco control over 25 years, highlighting achievements like banning smoking in public places, restricting advertising, and setting ambitious targets, such as becoming smoke-free by 2034. The main challenges he mentions that need continued focus are reducing smoking in deprived communities, addressing health inequalities, and resisting strong opposition from the tobacco industry.
He raised concerns about rising vaping use, calling for stricter regulation to prevent health risks and youth targeting, drawing parallels to historic tobacco marketing tactics.
Finally, he praised ASH Scotland for its vital role in shaping tobacco control policy and encouraged continued action to meet Scotland’s public health goals.