Quick recap on the week.
It kicked off on Sunday with a call by the All Party Parliamentary Group on Smoking and Health - run by ASH - for an increase in the legal age for purchasing tobacco from 18 to 21.
We came late to the story - I think it must have been given to the Observer as an exclusive - but Forest’s reaction was subsequently picked up by the Press Association which led to us being quoted by the Daily Mail, Metro and a number of local papers online including the Manchester Evening News, Belfast Telegraph and several more.
It was then reported that the Scottish Government is to consider the same measure, conjuring up images of a race between Westminster and Holyrood although, to be fair, the UK Government has so far shown no appetite to introduce the policy.
Anyway, I was subsequently interviewed on BBC Radio Scotland alongside Deborah Arnott of ASH and quoted by The Times (Scotland), the Herald, Scotsman and Scottish Daily Mail.
There was also a story in Dundee about Ninewells Hospital using children's voices to ‘encourage’ people not to smoke outside the hospital entrance. The children concerned are aged 9, 10, and 12.
My reaction - I described the initiative as “Orwellian” and “emotional blackmail” - was reported by the Scottish Daily Mail and Dundee Evening Telegraph.
While all this has been going on we have been busy disseminating a new report.
I can’t say more because it’s under embargo but it’s a substantial document that has taken the best part of six months to put together. I’ll reveal all on Monday.