ANDREW McKie is right to point out that pension scheme investments in tobacco companies stand at odds with the promotion of public health ("Don't confuse consumer choice with ethical issues", The Herald, October 29).
He is however wrong when he says that tobacco taxation underwrites public health. Our Up in Smoke report showed that with the combined costs of healthcare, loss in productivity, litter and fires brought about by smoking, tobacco actually costs the Scottish economy almost £1.1 billion a year – around £129 million more than the tax revenue it generates.
In choosing tobacco to illustrate his argument against Government "interference" he has in fact chosen badly.
Intervening to prevent this addictive and deadly substance being promoted to young people, or to protect bystanders from the harm caused by second-hand smoke, are valid actions for politicians to take.
Unfortunately for Andrew McKie's argument, people in Scotland understand the need for this approach – with support for the Government's introduction of smoke-free public places now at around 83%, including a majority of Scotland's smokers.
Sheila Duffy,
Chief executive,
ASH Scotland,
8 Frederick Street,
Edinburgh/
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