Latest news with #JosephCarter
Scotsman
30-05-2025
- Automotive
- Scotsman
Edinburgh's LEZ one year on: More walking and cycling, less pollution and fewer fines
More people are walking, cycling and using public transport since the introduction of Edinburgh's Low Emission Zone, new research claims. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... And a year on, air quality monitoring shows reduced pollution levels and the city council says the number of fines handed out to vehicles which fail to meet the zone's emission standards has fallen. Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dundee began enforcing the LEZ standards 12 months ago, a year after Glasgow. Edinburgh's LEZ is one year old | supplied Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Research by the Institute of Occupational Medicine (IOM) looked at whether people in the Capital had changed their commuting behaviour in the first six months of enforcement. The study report said: 'Results suggested a small, but statistically significant, shift towards active travel and public transport within the LEZ, with a decrease in private vehicle use. 'We found evidence that active travel and public transport use increased following enforcement of the Edinburgh LEZ.' And the council said the total number of fines issued for breaches of the LEZ - which covers a 1.2 square mile area of the city centre - decreased by 56 per cent between June 2024 and January 2025 alone. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad It said the vast majority of vehicles entering the LEZ - over 95 per cent - were compliant, with around another 3 per cent in exempted classes. Transport and environment convener Stephen Jenkinson said: "I'm proud that alongside Aberdeen, Dundee, and Glasgow we took the bold step of implementing and enforcing a LEZ. We're sending a clear message that our major cities are united in pursuing a better future for all. Fundamentally, the LEZs are about making our cities healthier for everyone. "As Scotland's capital city, we have a duty to lead on the response to the climate and nature emergencies which will define our country for generations to come. Multiple studies show that even low levels of pollution can have an impact on our health. Road traffic is one of the main sources of harmful emissions that are damaging people's health and contributing to climate change, so we have a real responsibility to tackle this. 'The average decrease in penalty charge notices (PCNs) here in Edinburgh show that people are getting used to the LEZ and modifying their habits accordingly. It's also encouraging to see studies showing a positive shift towards greater use of active travel and public transport. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'The LEZ is one important tool to help us achieve our ambitious climate goals, including net zero emissions by 2030.' Joseph Carter, head of Asthma + Lung UK Scotland, said: 'We are pleased that Edinburgh along with Dundee and Aberdeen made the bold move a year ago to ban the most polluting cars from their city and it is a step in the right direction to help improve the air that we all breathe. 'With air pollution cutting short thousands of lives a year, we want to see our cities become far healthier places, where people can walk and cycle and not be forced to breathe in dirty air. 'With 1 in 5 people in Scotland developing a lung condition like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in their lifetime, for them, air pollution can trigger life-threatening asthma attacks and flare-ups. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Children are more susceptible to air pollution as their lungs are still growing, and they also breathe faster than adults. As they grow, toxic air can stunt the growth of their lungs, making them less resilient into adulthood and placing them at greater risk of lung disease in the future.' And Flora Ogilvie, consultant in public health at NHS Lothian, said: 'It's great to know that the LEZ enforcement has been in place for a year, helping to improve air quality in the city and protect the health of our most vulnerable residents. Improving air quality and reducing traffic levels are also an important way of encouraging more people to travel by walking, wheeling, cycling and public transport. 'Travelling sustainably can help improve individual physical activity levels and mental wellbeing, as well as supporting better environmental health for the whole population and planet.'
South Wales Argus
29-04-2025
- Health
- South Wales Argus
Call to ban wood-burning stoves in Wales over health fears
Asthma + Lung UK Cymru released a report urging the Welsh Government to raise awareness about the health risks of pollutants from domestic burning. The charity's poll of 1,000 people in Wales found that more than half (53.6 per cent) were concerned about air quality in their area, but less than half (47.2 per cent) were worried about wood-burning stoves. Joseph Carter, head of Asthma + Lung UK Cymru, said: "It is worrying that although people are concerned about their lung health and air pollution, less than half of people questioned in our survey were not aware of the dangers of wood-burning stoves. "The idea of a cosy wood burner in our homes might sound appealing, but the reality is it could be putting you, your family and neighbours' lung health at risk." The report recommends banning the installation of new stoves in homes, phasing out domestic wood burning in urban areas, and launching a national campaign on the health impacts of air pollution. Judy, a retired asthma sufferer, said: "If your lungs are sensitive, and you inhale wood smoke regularly, it's worse than second-hand cigarette smoke — and recovery is difficult, if not impossible."
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Scotland must learn from ‘shocking' flu season, says charity
Scotland must learn from the this year's 'shocking' flu season as figures show the number of deaths in the first 14 weeks of this year almost doubled. Figures released last week by National Records of Scotland show flu was the underlying cause in 463 deaths, compared to just 240 during the same period in 2024. The condition was also mentioned on 567 death certificates in the first 14 weeks of this year, compared to just 297 in the same time last year. Statistics from Public Health Scotland showed the number of adults vaccinated against flu dropped to just under 1.3 million this winter, compared to 1.65 million the previous year. Asthma and Lung UK Scotland have urged the Scottish Government to develop a strategy designed to protect those with underlying lung conditions from the flu, as well as broaden the eligibility for vaccination. READ MORE: One of the highest rates of Huntington's disease found in north Scotland – study 'Scotland's different population dynamics mean we face challenges sooner' Number of flu deaths in Scotland reach new high as levels of vaccines drop 'We knew that flu was particularly bad this winter, but these statistics are truly shocking,' said the head of the charity, Joseph Carter. 'With the worst flu seasons in recent years, we saw hospitals across Scotland at breaking point but now is the time for practical long-term solutions. 'We need to learn from this devastating winter and vaccinate far more people. Removing the 50–65-year-old group from being eligible for the flu jab removed almost half a million people from the list, and sent the wrong message that flu was less serious. 'We would urge the Scottish Government to offer free flu vaccines to 50-64-year-olds as happened in Northern Ireland this year. 'Vaccinating more people will not only reduce the spread of flu but will also help to protect the most vulnerable as well easing the enormous pressures on the NHS. 'The fact that people with lung conditions are seven times more likely to die if they catch flu compared to healthy adults means we also need better year-round care for people with chronic lung conditions to help stop hospital admissions. 'With the respiratory care action plan coming to an end, the Scottish Government needs to develop a new, fully funded strategy to prevent, diagnose and treat people living with lung conditions like COPD and asthma. 'Deepening health inequalities is also an issue, with Scotland's poorest communities seeing higher mortality rates associated with lung conditions than the more affluent.' A spokesman for the Scottish Government said: 'Decision-making on Scotland's vaccination programme continues to be guided by the independent, expert advice of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) and it advises flu vaccination for all those aged 65 and over and people with specific underlying health conditions. 'The vast majority of those with lung conditions, aged six months and over, are automatically eligible for a free flu vaccine as part of our national programme, including a large proportion of those with asthma. 'As noted, people with lung conditions are up to seven times more likely to die if they catch flu, so the Scottish Government would encourage them to come forward for vaccination in winter 2025.'
BBC News
16-04-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Calls for vaccine review after flu deaths surge
A charity has called for flu vaccines to be reinstated for 50 to 64-year-olds after the worst flu death season in over four Records of Scotland data for the first 14 weeks of this year show flu was the underlying cause in 463 deaths. In the same period last year there were 240. Campaigners said a decision to raise vaccination eligibility to 65 meant an additional half a million people were not offered the jab this minister for social care, mental wellbeing and sport Maree Todd said the government had followed UK-wide advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) but would reflect on the figures. As well as the 463 deaths where flu was the underlying cause, an additional 567 recorded deaths have had flu mentioned on the death certificate so far in deaths are at the highest number since 1979, according to Asthma and Lung Scotland – both for underlying cause and when mentioned on death certificate. 'Wrong message' During the Covid pandemic in 2020 eligibility for a free flu jab was extended to 50 to 64-year-olds but last year the Scottish government reverted to the pre-pandemic eligibility and Lung Scotland said this had played a big part in the reduction of uptake and also sent the wrong message about the seriousness of Joseph Carter told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme: "Anyone who has lost someone from flu this winter will reflect on these figures and see it with their own eyes."It is truly shocking that we have seen this sort of jump. We expected it to be a poor flu season or for it to be fairly bad but to see it as bad as this is truly shocking,"It is a lesson to all of us, particularly the Scottish government that we need to take action this coming winter to try and make sure this doesn't happen again." Information from Public Health Scotland shows overall flu vaccinations this winter are down by a fifth compared to the previous winter, with over 350,000 fewer vaccines 2023/24, almost 1.65m people received a flu vaccine, with numbers falling to under 1.3m in winter 2024/25. 'Vaccine fatigue' Maree Todd said "vaccine fatigue" and "anti-vax sentiment" may also have played a part in reduced vaccine uptake. The minister said there was high uptake from children and those at high risk, but there was "poor uptake from adults right across the board".She said the government would "certainly reflect" in the coming months on the decision to exclude the 50 to 64 age group."The JCVI look very carefully at the evidence and made the recommendations according to the clinical evidence," she added."I think its very wise for governments to pay attention to the experts in this area and absolutely we listen very carefully to the recommendations that the JCVI gives us and follow them."
