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Many western countries have announced bold tobacco policies with the aim of going smoke-free before the end of this decade. Some are going further and faster than others.
In England, health officials are considering radical ways to reduce the number of smokers from the estimated total of 6 million. Dr. Javed Khan OBE – a senior NHS leader and former CEO of the Barnardos children’s charity – was asked to review Britain’s progress towards its target of a smoking prevalence of less than 5% by 2030
The Guardian understands the recommendations could include raising the legal age of smoking to 21 and introducing further taxes on tobacco companies. The review is also likely to recommend the NHS increase efforts to encourage smokers, particularly among pregnant women, to switch to vaping and e-cigarettes.
Khan’s report to the Department of Health makes for critical recommendations:
Increase investment - around £125 million in smoke-free 2030 policies should fund accessible stop smoking support; while Khan also recommends implementing a tobacco industry levy in order to raise the money.
Increase the age of sale by one year, every year, until tobacco is essentially banned (The current age at which you can buy cigarettes in the UK is 18).
Promote vaping as an effective tool to help people stop smoking tobacco.
Improve prevention in the NHS by offering smokers advice and support to quit at every interaction they have with the UK’s healthcare services.
The report suggests that the Government should encourage smokers to “quit for good” in part by recommending vaping as an alternative.
In discussing his recommendations, Khan is keen to bust the multitude of myths that circulate about vaping and smoking:
“Some will argue that people should be encouraged to quit all forms of nicotine, and while I understand their concern, my priority is to help people quit smoking as quickly, completely, and permanently as possible. That must also be the overriding public health priority.
However, there is lots of confusion, even misinformation, about vaping. The most common relates to its harm. I have spoken to the very best academics and scientists across the country and internationally. They all told me that vaping is far less harmful than smoking.
In cigarettes, we know that it is not the nicotine that kills you but the other thousands of toxic chemicals such as tar and carbon monoxide. Vapes give smokers the nicotine they crave but protect them from the toxins they would inhale from a cigarette.
Of course, the healthiest option is not to vape or smoke at all. And the use of vapes should only be encouraged to quit smoking. ”
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