Renfrewshire South MSP Tom Arthur, visited his local Cancer Research UK shop in Johnstone on Friday the 18th August to lend his support to Cancer Research UK’s Scale Down Cancer campaign to help prevent obesity-related cancers across Scotland.
Scotland has one of the heaviest populations in Europe, with around two-thirds (65%) of adults in Scotland and more than one quarter (28%) of children, overweight or obese.
Given that obesity is the single biggest preventable cause of cancer after smoking, it is important that action is taken to tackle Scotland’s obesity challenges.
The Cancer Research UK campaign asks politicians to support a call to ensure cancer is scaled down to size in Scotland.
Nearly 40% of all calories are purchased as a result of price promotions.
This is why restricting supermarket multi-buy discounts on foods that are high in sugar, fat and salt are among a range of measures that Cancer Research UK wants to see placed at the heart of the expected Scottish Government strategy to improve Scots’ diets.
Commenting, Tom Arthur MSP said: “Four in ten cancers are preventable, yet not enough of us know that obesity is the single biggest preventable cause of cancer after smoking. Given the devastating impact that cancer has on families in Renfrewshire South, it’s vital we take action on obesity.
“We mustn’t let obesity continue to be the new normal in Scotland, and that’s why I’m joining forces with Cancer Research UK and the Scale Down Cancer campaign.”
Find out more about the campaign at cruk.org/ScaleDownCancer