Smokefree 2030 Target

Mr Gwynne thanked Members for their work on the Smokefree 2030 target, noting that smoking is a significant cause of cancer and death in the UK. He expressed concern over cuts to smoking cessation services since 2015-16 and increasing smoking rates in deprived areas, which could exacerbate health inequalities. Mr Gwynne asked the Minister for clarity on his Department's confidence in achieving the target compared to Cancer Research UK's estimates.

The UK's Department of Health and Social Care's announcement in response to the Khan smoking review was a positive step but there is a risk that the Smokefree 2030 target will be missed, with an estimated 13.3% of adults still smoking. Embracing all smoking alternatives like vaping, gum, patches, NHS stop smoking services, and 'heat not burn' products can give the UK its best chance of hitting the target.

Agrees with Neil Hudson's view on the need for trading standards to enforce laws against illegal vapes, counterfeit tobacco, and underage sales to secure a safer environment for consumers. Gareth Johnson intervened to discuss vaping's life-saving potential when smokers switch from traditional cigarettes. He argued that while measures should be in place to prevent non-smokers, especially children, from using vapes, the government must not discourage smokers from switching to alternatives like vaping and heat-not-burn products.

I highlighted the importance of reducing smoking among young people in Wales and England. Smoking is a significant cause of preventable death, particularly affecting those living in poverty. The Welsh Government's tobacco control plan aims to make Wales smoke-free by 2030 but faces challenges due to reserved powers in Westminster. Key measures such as warnings on cigarettes and regulations for e-cigarettes are needed but cannot be implemented without devolved powers. A 'polluter pays' levy would raise £700 million annually, supporting the programme both in England and Wales.

Jim Shannon supported the Smokefree 2030 target, welcoming the UK Government's announcement of bold measures to make England smoke-free by 2030. He highlighted healthcare pressure due to smoking-related diseases in Northern Ireland, noting that smoking causes over seven in ten cases of lung cancer there and costs £172 million annually in hospital expenses. Shannon also mentioned projections indicating a significant increase in lung cancer cases among men (74%) and women (91%) by 2035. He called for urgent action to reduce smoking rates, citing the need for a consultation on cigarette pack inserts and discussions on tackling illicit tobacco trade.

Smoking is a lethal addiction concentrated among the poorest in society, with over a third of smokers now in the bottom 20% of income distribution. In Gateshead, 22,000 adults smoked at a cost of £7 million to NHS and £5.4 million to local authority social care in 2021. Liz Twist called for investment in stop smoking services and mental health support as essential steps towards achieving the Smokefree 2030 ambition.

Emphasized the importance of achieving a smoke-free Scotland by 2034, citing support from three quarters of adults in Scotland and significant health benefits since the smoking ban. He highlighted the financial burden of smoking on public services and suggested implementing a 'polluter pays' levy to fund tobacco control measures.

Tobacco continues to kill an estimated one person every five minutes in Britain, with the north-east having some of the highest rates of smoking. In this region alone, nearly 13,000 people died prematurely from smoking between 2017 and 2019 at a cost of over £164 million to healthcare and social care. Regional funding for behavioural change campaigns has been cut by around 90% since 2008.

I acknowledge that vaping has a role in helping adults quit tobacco smoking but highlights the unintended consequences of youth vaping, including health and environmental concerns. He supports stronger measures to address this issue. Mr Hudson raised concerns about the risks disposable vapes pose to animals, citing an incident where his dog found a melon-flavoured disposable vape in the undergrowth. He urged for increased public awareness of the health, environmental and animal-related risks associated with these products.

Ms Hamilton highlighted the health impacts of smoking, noting that it causes around 150 cases of cancer per day in the UK. She mentioned more than 10,000 people are admitted to hospital each year in Birmingham and Solihull due to smoking-related issues. She also pointed out the tobacco industry's efforts to undermine public health measures and its increased marketing plans that target young people. Ms Hamilton emphasized the need for strategies to prevent youth from starting smoking and stressed the importance of proper research on e-cigarettes, given their potential risks.