Health study proves bleak for one part of Falkirk

PEOPLE in Falkirk West are almost twice as likely to die of a smoking-related disease than their counterparts in the east. The average number of deaths attributed to smoking in people aged 35 or over between 1995-2001 was 121 in Michael Connarty's Falkirk East constituency. But in Eric Joyce's Falkirk West seat the figure was 206. The rate of smoking deaths per 100,000 in Falkirk East is 287, 28 per cent below the national average, while in Falkirk West it is 32 per cent above it at 529. The NHS figures were calculated by Portsmouth University using estimates of the number of smokers and the percentage who die of smoke-related illness. Forth Valley Health Board said the higher figures in Falkirk West in part reflect the higher numbers of smokers in the constituency, the slightly older population and slightly higher rates of heart disease and cancer mortality compared to Falkirk East. Mr Joyce said: "It's strange that the figures are so different because the demographics of the two areas are very similar. I can't say why it would be higher. "Falkirk West has a slightly higher employment rate but you are more likely to see people who are not well off smoking. It's quite an interesting phenomenon." Mr Connarty welcomed the lower number of deaths in his constituency but he added: "We must get figures even lower than they are now." Dr Malcolm McWhirter, director of public health, NHS Forth Valley, said: "While there is still some way to go, the rate of heart disease in Falkirk has been slowly falling over recent years. "Smoking remains the single highest cause of premature death in Falkirk and work to help people stop smoking will help to reduce this." The Scottish Executive is currently having consultations on the issue of smoking in public places. Dr McWhirter added: "Workplaces and public places that are free of tobacco smoke would have an impact on the numbers of people dying from smoking-related illnesses such as heart disease, lung cancer and stroke." Mr Joyce is not in favour of a ban on smoking in public places. He added: "It should be up to people whether they smoke or not. The best way to reduce the number is through education. "Preventative measures are important. On the one hand, clearly we need to get people to stop smoking as early as pos-sible because once you've stopped smoking your lungs can have a chance to recover. "But people also need to take care of their own health."

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