New report sets out the urgent actions needed to end smoking in a generation

We welcome the report published by the cross-party All Party Parliamentary Group on Smoking and Health calling for all political parties to back a bold, fully funded strategy to make smoking obsolete within 20 years.

Alison Challenger, ADPH Co-Lead for Addiction and DPH West Sussex, said:

“Significant progress has been made in reducing the number of people smoking through the powerful combination of evidence-based policy measures, effective stop smoking services and initiatives. With a ban on tobacco advertising and a ban on smoking in public places across all four nations in the 2000s, there has been a marked decrease in the number of people smoking, with 11% of over-16s smoking in 2022 but there is more to do to reach smoke free. The current Tobacco and Vapes Bill proposing stronger enforcement and regulation is a significant step in moving towards a smoke free generation.

“The vast majority of people who smoke started at a young age, regret ever starting and have tried to quit multiple times. No matter how old they are, or how long they’ve been smoking, quitting will significantly improve their health and wellbeing.

“Preventing people from smoking and reducing the harms will lead to a healthier and happier smoke free society throughout the UK.”