By Jamie Pearce & Catherine Tisch

Smoking remains one of the most significant public health challenges in Scotland and is implicated in one in every five Scottish deaths.  Each year, around 15,000 young Scottish people start smoking and many go on to become regular smokers.  Since the introduction of the Tobacco Advertising and Promotion Act in 2005, most forms of tobacco advertising and sponsorship in the UK have been banned. One of the few ways the tobacco industry can legitimately promote their products (often by elaborate and prominent means) is via point of sale (POS) tobacco displays.  A recent systematic review showed that POS displays increased children’s susceptibility to smoking, experimentation and initiation into smoking. Continue reading Will the new point of sale legislation in Scotland influence young people’s knowledge and attitudes of tobacco products? →