As Scotland marks No-Smoking Day, Labour has hit out at the SNP’s lack of support for people who want to stub out the habit.

Labour’s Public Health spokesman Dr Richard Simpson said:

"It is deplorable that the Scottish Government has flat-lined the smoking cessation budget, resulting in a real-terms cut of eight per cent. It is very disappointing to see this retrograde step, at this time when the advent of the smoking ban and the raising of the legal age to 18 is encouraging so many to try to give up.

"Scottish Labour congratulates those who took the opportunities provided by smoking cessation services to help them to give up smoking. We congratulate the communities and commercial premises who embraced the smoking ban which has transformed life in Scotland for the better.

“The SNP should mark this day with an increase in funding for smoking cessation and provide further help and encouragement for people taking positive steps with their health.”