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Smoke-free Society by 2030
23 March 2021
Lead MP
David Jones
Clwyd West
Con
Responding Minister
Jo Churchill
Tags
NHSMental Health
Word Count: 4194
Other Contributors: 3
At a Glance
David Jones raised concerns about smoke-free society by 2030 in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
The lead MP asks the government to take action by embracing new opportunities provided by Brexit to regulate reduced-risk smoking products and create a robust framework for tobacco harm reduction. He urges the Minister to set out the Department's progress on revising regulations and confirm the publication date of the tobacco control plan.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
The ongoing issue of smoking persists across the UK despite a decrease in smokers. Smoking-related illnesses disproportionately affect disadvantaged communities, ethnic minorities, and those with mental health conditions. Recent statistics from the Office for National Statistics show declining intentions to quit smoking since 2015, and Cancer Research UK predicts that adult smoking prevalence in England will not reach 5% until 2037, instead of 2030. This indicates a need for faster progress.
Gareth Johnson
Con
Bexleyheath and Crayford
Mr Johnson supported vaping as a safer alternative to smoking, emphasizing that it is 95% risk free according to Public Health England. He suggested promoting vaping more aggressively post-Brexit by separating its regulations from those of tobacco products.
Ian Paisley Jnr
DUP
North Antrim
Mr Paisley highlighted the importance of tobacco harm reduction and encouraged the Government to work closely with credible companies in the vaping industry. He also raised concerns about criminality within the sector and mentioned the impact of the Northern Ireland protocol on consumer choice for smoking cessation products.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Mr Shannon expressed concern about the safety of vaping as an alternative to smoking, questioning whether it is truly safer than cigarettes and if there has been a robust examination of its risks.
Government Response
Jo Churchill
Government Response
The Minister acknowledged the importance of reducing smoking rates across England, with a focus on areas where they remain high. She reiterated that rates are at their lowest level, but wide variations exist between regions. The Government aims to support communities through the levelling-up agenda and intends to publish a new tobacco control plan in summer 2021 as part of this effort. Emphasizing evidence-based policies, she highlighted ongoing research on e-cigarettes and other novel nicotine delivery systems, noting that these products remain less harmful than traditional smoking but are not risk-free. She also mentioned the UK's global leadership in tackling tobacco use and expressed gratitude for contributions from Members to debate this critical issue.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.