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Reducing the harmful impact of tobacco on Scotland’s health is a key priority for the Scottish Government. We welcome the proposal to increase the size of health warnings on cigarette packs. We will continue to examine any emerging evidence on this subject and will of course take account of the European Tobacco Products Directive.

While polices, frameworks and resources are provided by the Scottish Government, it is for each NHS board to decide how best to plan and deliver high quality, safe and sustainable services to meet the needs of their population.

The Scottish Government recognises the potential benefits of the physician associate (PA) role and is currently exploring ways in which PAs can be integrated into the NHSScotland workforce.

All the vehicles listed were purchased outright.

Currently we have four secondments at B and C band to other governments. This includes two secondments to the Lithuanian Presidency of the Council of the European Union 2013 to provide support on fisheries policy, one to the Welsh Government to assist the Office of the Welsh Legislative Counsel in preparing primary legislation and one to the European Commission to undertake a programme of work and training within the European Commission.

The following table provide a breakdown of the car leasing and fuel costs contained within paragraph 3.3 of the Annual State of the NHSScotland Assets and Facilities Report for 2012:

Figures were based on best estimates at the time of publication. A detailed analysis was carried out post publication which showed that actual net Car Leasing costs were £13.2 million for 2012.

Notes:

1. Car Lease costs are for Staff Car Lease Scheme vehicles and for all other Operational/Pool cars that are leased.

2. The fuel costs include fuel for operational vehicles and claims that are made by staff for their Lease Cars.

The 2013 Annual State of the NHSScotland Assets and Facilities Report is currently in preparation and will be published shortly. This will include an update on the backlog expenditure requirement identified in the 2012 report.

Findings from Scotland’s evaluation of smoke-free legislation were published in 2010 and provides an overview of findings from 2005 to 2009.

The information can be accessed here:

http://www.healthscotland.com/scotlands-health/evidence/smokefreelegislation/findings.aspx

A study sponsored by NIHR Public Health Research Programme is currently being conducted by the University of Stirling. The aims of the study are to assess the impact of measures in The Tobacco and Primary Medical Services (Scotland) Act 2010 that ban point of sale tobacco displays and advertising on young people's exposure to tobacco advertising, their attitudes towards smoking and their smoking behaviour. The before and after study is due for completion in 2017.

In addition NHS Health Scotland will conduct an analysis of data relating to tobacco retail sales. This analysis will complement the work conducted by the University of Stirling.

Legislation on plain, standardised packaging will improve public health by regulating the marketing of tobacco. It will not regulate intellectual property. We will undertake a full business and regulatory impact assessment to accompany the introduction of a Bill on standardised packaging.

The Public Health Research Consortium (PHRC) published a systematic review of the evidence on plain, standardised tobacco packaging to accompany the UK consultation last year. That report can be accessed at:

http://phrc.lshtm.ac.uk/project_2011-2016_006.html.

This review, based on findings from 37 individual studies, concluded that there is evidence to support the propositions that standardised packaging would reduce the attractiveness and appeal of tobacco products, increase the noticeability and effectiveness of health warnings and messages, and reduce the use of design techniques that may mislead consumers about the harmfulness of tobacco products.

The review also found that plain, standardised packaging was most likely to be effective in preventing the uptake of smoking among young people.

A review of a further 17 recent research studies was published by Stirling University in September of this year. It confirmed the main findings of the earlier PHRC review on the benefits of plain, standardised packaging. That review can be found at:

http://www.stir.ac.uk/media/schools/management/documents/Plain%20Packaging%20Studies%20Update.pdf.

I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15685 on 27 June 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx