Dumbarton's MSP is encouraging smokers who want to quit to make use of the free resources available.

Jackie Baillie MSP highlighted services such as the Quit Your Way Scotland which provides advice and support to help people kick the habit.

Her encouragement comes after her sponsorship of ASH Scotland's 50th anniversary event at the Scottish Parliament, where she commended their advocacy for anti-smoking legislation.

She said: “I was delighted to host an event in the Scottish Parliament to celebrate ASH Scotland’s 50th anniversary where I reflected on how proud I was that cross-party MSPs have worked together to pass progressive legislation to protect many people from the health harms caused by tobacco, including the public smoking ban which was introduced in 2006 and is helping to make significant progress in reducing smoking rates across the country.

“As a former smoker, I am pleased to be supporting ASH Scotland’s ‘Quit and Win’ campaign and urge anyone in Dumbarton who is thinking of stopping smoking to contact the free Quit Your Way Scotland service which provides vital person-centred advice and support to help people to progress towards a tobacco-free life which will benefit your health, fitness, family and finances.

“So whether you’re trying to give up smoking for the first time or trying again, make a commitment to yourself and those you care about to contact Quit Your Way Scotland, and I wish you well for your journey to a healthier future.”

She said there is still work to do as smoking-related inequalities continue.

Twenty-five per cent of adults in Scotland’s most deprived areas smoke, she said, compared to seven per cent in the least deprived areas.

ASH Scotland has been campaigning for a smokeless Scotland.

Adult smoking prevalence in Scotland was at 47 per cent when they were founded in 1973, and fell to 15 per cent in 2022.

Sheila Duffy, chief executive of ASH Scotland, said: "Tobacco is still the biggest cause of preventable death in Scotland but people in Dumbarton can have a brighter future by giving up smoking.

"Quitting tobacco increases the opportunity to live a healthier life through halving the risk of developing lung, mouth, throat, pancreas, bladder, oesophagus and larynx cancer after five to 10 years, and an average smoker will save more than £3,000 within 12 months of stopping smoking.

“By using expert stop smoking support, such as that provided for free by NHS Scotland’s Quit Your Way service, you can increase your chances of successfully quitting smoking by three to four times.”

For those wishing to quit, contact visit at QuitYourWay.scot or call the free helpline on 0800 848484.