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5th Meeting of the 185th Session (2005-2006)

"Tobacco, Alcohol and Scotland's Health"

Dr Ernest McAlpine Armstrong
CB, FRCS(Ed), FRCP(Glas, Ed), FRCGP, FFPH
Former Chief Medical Officer for Scotland

In the Wolfson Suite, Ground Floor
Edinburgh University Library
George Square, Edinburgh
On Monday 6th March 2006, at 7 pm

Scotland has a well deserved reputation for egalitarianism and for the quality and reach of its education. But, perversely, Scotland's reputation as the sick man (and the sickest woman) of Europe is largely attributable to three key factors, social inequality and the Scots' enduring love affair with fags and booze, an affair which continues despite the well recognised risks to public and personal health. Even more worrying for the future of Scotland is the fact that our young people are avidly aping the bad habits of their elders. Devolution has, however, given the people of Scotland the tools to create a unique set of responses to these problems. Scotland now leads the UK in tobacco and alcohol control legislation, which has received widespread support from the public and in the Scottish Parliament. On the eve of the implementation of the ban on smoking in enclosed public places in Scotland, this lecture explores the background to these changes and looks to a better future for Scotland's health

Dr Armstrong was Chief Medical Officer for Scotland from 2001 to 2005 where he was responsible for all aspects of public health, health improvement, health protection and health services. He began his career as a research pathologist in Glasgow and was a partner in a large west highland practice in North Argyll from 1975 -1993. He developed and interest in NHS and medical management and in 1993 he moved to London as the Secretary of the British Medical Association, a post he held for seven years. Since retiring in June 2005 he now has more time to pursue his interests in sailing, music and travel.

Society Business

The President, Professor Anthony Busuttil, will be in the Chair

Members of the Public are welcome to attend

Jane Ridder-Patrick, Secretary
secretary@rssa.org.uk
Telephone: 0131 556 2161

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