In Scotland we face several serious tobacco-related problems (Tobacco industry in funding fight against plain cigarette packaging, News, May 18).
Rather than simply falling back on entrenched positions, these problems will only be addressed through serious debate.
Key among these problems is the issue of proxy purchase - the main way that children and young people obtain tobacco products. This is a problem that has nothing to do with packaging but has everything to do with peer pressure and family influence. Equally important are problems of the illicit trade and the health inequality aspect of smoking: only around 10% of people in our most affluent areas are smokers, while this rises to about 40% in our most disadvantaged communities.
None of these problems will be solved by plain packaging and highlighting them does not make an organisation a "front" for anyone. The Scottish Grocers' Federation is completely open and transparent about who its members are. Scrutiny should now be focused on the health lobbying groups who are "core-funded" by the Scottish taxpayer - do they provide value for money? We should be told.
John Lee
Public Affairs Manager
Scottish Grocers' Federation
Edinburgh
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