In this column, I thought I would tell you about the Cross Party Group on Tobacco and Health which I am a member of at the Scottish Parliament.

Along with me there are representatives from the Roy Castle Cancer Society, ASH Scotland, Asthma UK, Children in Scotland, British Heart Foundation, British Lung Foundation to name just a few. This group is chaired by the Leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats, Willie Rennie MSP. The discussions cover topics such as plain packaging, ecigarettes etc and most importantly, talks on how to prevent our future generations taking up the habit, I think that everything that can be done, should be done, to protect the health of our children.

A topic we discussed at the group was second hand smoke. Everyone knows that cigarette smoke is harmful but not everyone realises that more than 85% of smoke is invisible and has no smell. This hidden danger can linger and children who are exposed are at greater risk of diseases from glue ear to asthma, meningitis and cot death The group welcomed representatives from Youth Commission on Tobacco, which has been tasked by the Scottish Government to make recommendations on future youth prevention smoking in Scotland. The youngsters gave an overview on what the Youth Commission has been doing, how their thinking is developing and had lots of questions for the group members. This was a great meeting in my opinion, hearing from the kids on their thoughts re lung health .I was impressed by their knowledge and understanding of legislation regarding tobacco products.

I must say I feel honoured in being a member of this Parliamentary group, especially in such esteemed company.

The British and Welsh Governments along with the Scottish Government are moving a step closer to introducing standardised packaging for cigarettes, after an evidence review concluded that it was “highly likely” to deter thousands of children from taking up smoking.

Hundreds of thousands of children start smoking each year in the UK even as more that 100,000 people die as a result of their habit. Alongside other legislation, such as a ban on smoking in cars carrying children, the introduction of standardised packaging could prove another momentous step towards minimising the impact of smoking on the nation’s health.

The British Lung Foundation is working with Sir Alex Ferguson and the Scottish Government to lead the fight against lung cancer. Lung cancer can be a terrible disease but if it is caught early there is a lot that can be done to cure it and to give those who have it extra time to spend with their loved ones.

Sir Alex is talking from his own experiences with this disease as both his parents died from lung cancer. I think he should be congratulated in trying to get the message across that if you notice a change to your cough, go to your GP as soon as you can to get it checked out.

n Breathe Easy Clackmannanshire have a great list of speakers events lined up for this year: One I would like to mention is our meeting for National Breathe Easy Week. National Breathe Easy Week is a series of events that take place throughout the UK in June each year. The aim of Breathe Easy Week is to raise awareness of lung disease and promote the great work of the British Lung Foundation.

Our group will have four speakers at our meeting, namely The Tobacco Control Officer from NHS Forth Valley, Living It Up Forth Valley, Scottish Ambulance Service and Heal the Whole of Me. If you would like to come along and hear these speakers, please come along on Thursday 10th June at 2pm to Pensioners Hall, Erskine Street, Alloa. I feel sure they would be only too happy to answer any questions you may have after their talks. A cuppa and chat will also be on offer The group are involved in a mutually beneficial project that aims to use graphic design and illustration to improve societal understanding of COPD  –  the project is in its early stages and we look forward to being involved.

There will be workshops, which as a group we will enjoy and Josie, the Artist/Illustrator, will be interviewing us, to learn about our day to day life, and will do sketches and take photographs. The information that Josie will be gathering will be put into book form and will be presented to each of the members.

Breathe Easy will be having a stall at the Community Fun Day in Greenfield Park on Saturday 7th June, why don’t you come along and support us. We will make you very welcome. If the Fun Day is as good as it was last year, it will be special. I just hope the sun will be shining I would like to finish by saying, on behalf of myself and all at Breathe Easy Clackmannanshire, I would like to wish you a Happy Easter and hope you don’t eat too many chocolate eggs.