Tobacco smoking in Scotland - new briefing published

The report, "Tobacco smoking in Scotland: an epidemiology briefing", has now been published on the ScotPHO website.
This briefing looks at how tobacco impacts on the population health of Scotland, why people take up smoking and continue to smoke, and what might be done to curb the epidemic. Using the latest available data, it estimates the size of the problem, discusses why it matters, and presents trends in smoking over time. Variation in smoking prevalence within the Scottish population, and international comparisons, are also shown. The briefing then discusses factors that help determine smoking status and details measures that may help tackle the problem. It concludes with some final remarks on the continuing challenge posed by tobacco.
You can access the report at: http://www.scotpho.org.uk/tobaccobriefing

UK indicators of poverty and social exclusion

The New Policy Institute has produced its tenth annual report of indicators of poverty and social exclusion in the United Kingdom, providing a comprehensive analysis of trends and differences between groups. Its principal conclusion is that the strategy against poverty and social exclusion pursued since the late 1990s is now largely exhausted.

The report can be found on the Joseph Rowntree Foundation website. Links to Scottish statistics are also provided.