Menu
01/02/2010
Smokers 'Halved' By 2020
An ambitious new strategy will halve the number of smokers, from 21 to 10% of the population by 2020, Secretary of State for Health Andy Burnham announced today.
The number of people smoking has fallen by a quarter in the past decade – just last year 337,000 people stopped smoking thanks to free support from the NHS.
Under the new strategy, more smokers will be encouraged to get support from the NHS where professional help will be even more accessible and provide a wider range of options will be available to suit everybody.
Research shows that seven out of ten smokers want to give up.
The government will aim to stop young people being 'recruited' as smokers by cracking down on cheap illicit cigarettes.
Every smoker will be able to get help from the NHS to suit them if they want to give up - new types of support will be available at times and in places that suit smokers.
The Government said it will carefully consider the case for plain packaging.
Moves will also be made to stop. the sale of tobacco from vending machines.
The smoking ban could also be extended from enclosed public places and workplaces to areas like entrances to buildings.
Mr Burnham said: "Today’s strategy renews our commitment to virtually eradicate the health harms caused by smoking, and I firmly believe we can halve smoking by 2020. In ten years’ time, only one in ten people will smoke.
"Most smokers start before they are 18, so we have to discourage children and young people from ever starting. Now that we’ve banned advertising and will soon see an end to attractive displays in shops, the only remaining method of advertising tobacco is the packaging.
"So we will carefully consider whether there is evidence for making tobacco companies use plain packets."
Chief Medical Officer, Sir Liam Donaldson, said: "We must keep pushing hard for a tobacco free future and keep up the momentum gained by England going smokefree in 2007.
"Since then, the number of people who have given up smoking has increased, so this new strategy and targeted support will help smokers who want to quit, to give up for good."
Although smoking rates are declining, the epidemic is far from solved, with more than 80,000 deaths attributed to smoking a year. Smoking costs the NHS £2.7 billion a year and our communities much more.
(PR/BMcC)
The number of people smoking has fallen by a quarter in the past decade – just last year 337,000 people stopped smoking thanks to free support from the NHS.
Under the new strategy, more smokers will be encouraged to get support from the NHS where professional help will be even more accessible and provide a wider range of options will be available to suit everybody.
Research shows that seven out of ten smokers want to give up.
The government will aim to stop young people being 'recruited' as smokers by cracking down on cheap illicit cigarettes.
Every smoker will be able to get help from the NHS to suit them if they want to give up - new types of support will be available at times and in places that suit smokers.
The Government said it will carefully consider the case for plain packaging.
Moves will also be made to stop. the sale of tobacco from vending machines.
The smoking ban could also be extended from enclosed public places and workplaces to areas like entrances to buildings.
Mr Burnham said: "Today’s strategy renews our commitment to virtually eradicate the health harms caused by smoking, and I firmly believe we can halve smoking by 2020. In ten years’ time, only one in ten people will smoke.
"Most smokers start before they are 18, so we have to discourage children and young people from ever starting. Now that we’ve banned advertising and will soon see an end to attractive displays in shops, the only remaining method of advertising tobacco is the packaging.
"So we will carefully consider whether there is evidence for making tobacco companies use plain packets."
Chief Medical Officer, Sir Liam Donaldson, said: "We must keep pushing hard for a tobacco free future and keep up the momentum gained by England going smokefree in 2007.
"Since then, the number of people who have given up smoking has increased, so this new strategy and targeted support will help smokers who want to quit, to give up for good."
Although smoking rates are declining, the epidemic is far from solved, with more than 80,000 deaths attributed to smoking a year. Smoking costs the NHS £2.7 billion a year and our communities much more.
(PR/BMcC)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
22 June 2004
Smokers die 10 years younger, according to long-term study
On average cigarette smokers die 10 years younger than non-smokers, but stopping at age 50 halves the risk, and stopping at 30 avoids almost all of it, according to a 50-year-long study of smoking and death among British doctors, published in this week's British Medical Journal (BMJ).
Smokers die 10 years younger, according to long-term study
On average cigarette smokers die 10 years younger than non-smokers, but stopping at age 50 halves the risk, and stopping at 30 avoids almost all of it, according to a 50-year-long study of smoking and death among British doctors, published in this week's British Medical Journal (BMJ).
08 March 2007
Survey reveals 'secret smokers'
One in ten people are 'secret smokers' who try to keep their habit hidden, a new survey has revealed. The survey of 4,000 adults, commissioned by Boots, found that 52% of smokers had not told their parents about their habit, while a third had lied to their family, who believed that they had given up or never smoked at all.
Survey reveals 'secret smokers'
One in ten people are 'secret smokers' who try to keep their habit hidden, a new survey has revealed. The survey of 4,000 adults, commissioned by Boots, found that 52% of smokers had not told their parents about their habit, while a third had lied to their family, who believed that they had given up or never smoked at all.
12 November 2003
NHS to offer free nicotine gum to smokers
Products such as nicotine patches and gum will be given to the NHS for free under a new deal to help at least 10,000 more smokers quit. Agreements between the government and the major suppliers of smoking cessation products will give all Primary Care Trusts additional support from these suppliers, including free nicotine patches.
NHS to offer free nicotine gum to smokers
Products such as nicotine patches and gum will be given to the NHS for free under a new deal to help at least 10,000 more smokers quit. Agreements between the government and the major suppliers of smoking cessation products will give all Primary Care Trusts additional support from these suppliers, including free nicotine patches.
16 November 2005
Text service encourages smokers to quit
Smokers will be able to access support enabling them to quit via text messages, emails and phone-calls, under new plans announced by the government. The ‘Together’ programme is aimed at helping those who wish to keep their attempt at kicking the habit discreet.
Text service encourages smokers to quit
Smokers will be able to access support enabling them to quit via text messages, emails and phone-calls, under new plans announced by the government. The ‘Together’ programme is aimed at helping those who wish to keep their attempt at kicking the habit discreet.
08 February 2011
Smokers 'Quit Kit' In Time For Valentine's
Smokers in the North West are being encouraged to share a ‘fresh breath’ kiss with their Valentine this year, by quitting smoking with the help of a free NHS Quit Kit now available in participating pharmacies.
Smokers 'Quit Kit' In Time For Valentine's
Smokers in the North West are being encouraged to share a ‘fresh breath’ kiss with their Valentine this year, by quitting smoking with the help of a free NHS Quit Kit now available in participating pharmacies.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:A fine end to the day with some sunshine, then clear spells overnight. Low cloud could form around some Irish Sea coasts later in the night, or a few fog patches in prone spots.. Minimum temperature 9 °C.
