Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Smoke-free 2030 Target

Tuesday 19 April 2022 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial target is for England to be smoke-free by 2030.
  • 64,000 deaths annually are attributed to smoking in England.
  • The smoking rate is currently 13.5%, the lowest on record.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Charles Walker Con
NHS
Context

The question arises from the Department's target of making England smoke-free by 2030, with a focus on reducing smoking rates.

Question

What steps is his Department taking to meet its target of England being smoke-free by 2030?

Answer from Sajid Javid

I know that my hon. Friend has long been a passionate advocate for a smoke-free England, and I read his recent Westminster Hall debate with interest. Some 64,000 deaths a year are attributed to smoking and it is one of the greatest drivers of health disparities in our country. I am personally determined that we should do everything we can to reach the Government's ambition of a smoke-free 2030. That is why, in January, I asked Javed Khan to lead an independent review into tobacco control. Once that review is complete, the Government will set out their next steps.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific measures and timeline for achieving a smoke-free England were not detailed.

How: We Are Committed To

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Q2 Charles Walker Con
NHS
Context

The question is based on the need to reduce smoking rates significantly to achieve a smoke-free England by 2030.

Question

To get to a smoke-free 2030, for every 100 people smoking today we need to reduce that figure by eight. Can I ask the Secretary of State to ruthlessly target the barriers that stop people stubbing out their last cigarette?

Answer from Sajid Javid

My hon. Friend is absolutely right. The smoking rate is currently 13.5%, which is the lowest on record. However, smoking remains the largest driver of health disparities in our country. The new tobacco control plan, which will be informed by the new independent review, will be looking to do exactly what my hon. Friend says.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific barriers and measures were not detailed.

How: We Are Committed To

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Q3 Barry Sheerman Lab
Environment
Context

The question arises from the need to address air pollution caused by diesel vehicles and other sources, impacting public health.

Question

As one of the original campaigners for a ban on smoking in public places, I fully support what has just been suggested. Can I go further and beg the Secretary of State to come up with a plan so that every child, person, and family can breathe clean, fresh air away from pollution?

Answer from Sajid Javid

The hon. Gentleman has long been a campaigner on this issue and I commend him for that. He is right to continue pushing. I do not want to pre-empt the outcome of the independent review because it is just that, a review fully independent of Government. However, once it is complete—I hope to publish it in May—we can set out our plans.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific plan addressing air pollution was not provided.

How: We Are Committed To

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