Why is this HEAT target important?
This target sets out the key contribution of NHSScotland to reduce the prevalence of smoking. Smoking has long been recognised as the biggest single cause of preventable ill-health and premature death. It is a key factor in health inequalities and is estimated to be linked to some 13,500 deaths and many more hospital admissions each year. The annual cost to NHSScotland of treating smoking related diseases is estimated to be more than £409 million.
Although substantial achievements have been made in reducing the smoking rate in Scotland, smoking remains a major influence on Scotland's health. The prevalence gap between the most and least deprived is large, with the most deprived also suffering more smoking related ill health.
The Scottish Government remains committed to driving down smoking levels further. The emphasis is on stopping people from smoking by delivering effective cessation support and preventing smoking uptake. NHS Boards will continue to deliver a universal smoking cessation service, and there is an emphasis on helping people in deprived areas and pregnant mothers to stop smoking. All pregnant women will have smoking status recorded on attendance at antenatal clinic and will be offered smoking cessation support.
How are we performing?
Target due for delivery in 2013/14
The target is to deliver at least 80,000 successful quits (at one month post quit) including 48,000 in the 40% most-deprived within-Board SIMD areas over the three years ending March 2014. The target for each NHS Board is shown in the table below.
| NHS Board | Target 2013/14 |
| NHS AYRSHIRE & ARRAN | 3,544 |
| NHS BORDERS | 838 |
| NHS DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY | 1,373 |
| NHS FIFE | 3,550 |
| NHS FORTH VALLEY | 3,002 |
| NHS GRAMPIAN | 4,648 |
| NHS GREATER GLASGOW & CLYDE | 12,182 |
| NHS HIGHLAND | 2,358 |
| NHS LANARKSHIRE | 5,929 |
| NHS LOTHIAN | 7,011 |
| NHS ORKNEY | 105 |
| NHS SHETLAND | 104 |
| NHS TAYSIDE | 3,628 |
| NHS WESTERN ISLES | 175 |
| NHSSCOTLAND | 48,000 |
Further Information
Scotland's Future is Smoke-Free - Smoking Prevention Action Plan
A Breath of Fresh Air for Scotland - Tobacco Control Action Plan
Smoking prevalence statistics (Chapter 10 of Scottish Household Survey 2009)
NHS Smoking Cessation Services Statistics 2008-11
Related National Outcomes