Hospital admissions due to smoking down but diabetes deaths rise

Smoking resulted in more than 100,000 hospital admissions in Scotland during 2017, down 11% over the last decade.

Smoking was the primary reason for approximately 51,400 patients over 35 being admitted to hospital in 2017 – a 21% reduction since 2008 – and contributed to a further 49,100 admissions.

Tobacco use was the primary cause of 50% of cancer admissions linked to smoking, according to the official figures.

A Scottish Government spokeswoman described the figures as “encouraging” and said: “People are living longer, healthier lives, but, despite our best efforts, we know deeply ingrained social inequalities persist.

“Significantly reducing smoking rates remains a priority and our tobacco action plan published in June 2018, focuses on addressing health inequalities and targeting smoking rates in the communities where people find it most difficult to quit.

“The number of smokers in Scotland has fallen in recent years and we are committed to reducing this further, particularly in the most deprived areas, where there are the highest smoking rates.”

Meanwhile, deaths and hospital admissions caused by diabetes have risen in Scotland in the last decade.

Last year saw fewer people admitted to hospital for diabetes-related conditions, but the number of people whose death was linked to the condition rose to 6,480 in 2017.

The prevalence of diabetes – particularly type 2 which is linked to diet and obesity – is also increasing rapidly, according to the Scottish Diabetes Survey.

The survey estimates that almost 300,000 Scots had diabetes in 2017, with 17,000 new cases diagnosed.

Commenting on the increase of people in Scotland with diabetes, the government spokeswoman added: “This is due to better care and people living longer with the condition, however, this increase parallels the risk of admissions.

“Since 2010, the Scottish Government has implemented a number of initiatives to improve diabetes care which will help to reduce unplanned hospital admissions.

“Action includes improving blood glucose control by providing £10 million additional funding during the course of this Parliament to support an increase in the provision of insulin pumps for adults and for Continuous Glucose Monitors.

“In addition, our Diet and Healthy Weight Delivery Plan strives to make a significant impact on the prevention and remission of type 2 diabetes.

“This includes our commitment to invest £42 million over five years for the development of weight management for people with, or at risk of, type 2 diabetes as part of implementing our Type 2 Diabetes Prevention Framework.”