Pubdate: Sat, 8 Aug 1998 Source: Scotsman (UK) Contact: http://www.scotsman.com/ Author: Jennifer Trueland, Health Correspondent 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." - ---