Our challenge to the House of Lords: It’s time to make smoking obsolete

Dr Charmaine Griffiths, Chief Executive | British Heart Foundation

4 min read2 hr Partner content

Last month, the Tobacco and Vapes Bill successfully passed through the House of Commons, bringing us one step closer to a smokefree future. As the Bill moves to the House of Lords, we ask Peers to support this vital legislation to protect future generations.

With the Tobacco and Vapes Bill now making its way to the Lords, we are a step closer to creating a Smokefree UK, but our work here isn’t done.

This legislation will save lives for generations to come, make sure people live longer, healthier lives, and reduce the burden on an already strained NHS. We have a unique opportunity to make history by paving way to a smokefree generation – we must see to it that this happens.

This is something that British Heart Foundation (BHF) and our partners have fought for tirelessly for decades. In the early 2000’s, BHF-funded research showed that second hand smoke can increase your risk of coronary heart disease by as much as if you were smoking up to nine cigarettes a day. This shocking statistic was critical in highlighting the need for the indoor smoking ban across the UK.

We have come so far since then. And the Tobacco and Vapes Bill passing through the Commons marks another milestone, building on previous public health measures like the standardisation of tobacco packaging, and is instrumental in protecting the nation’s health.

Why the Tobacco and Vapes Bill matters

This Bill represents one of the most significant public health initiatives in a generation. It is a decisive step towards protecting future generations from the devastating consequences of smoking. Without question, it will save thousands of lives. Smoking continues to be one of the leading preventable causes of illness and death in the UK, and is a major reason for the difference in healthy life expectancy between the richest and poorest areas. There are at least 15,000 deaths from heart and circulatory diseases attributable to smoking in the UK every year,¹ an unacceptable and tragic toll on families across the country.

The Bill is also responding to the emerging issue of youth vaping. The proportion of under 18-year-olds who have ever vaped has significantly increased over the last five years, driven in part by attractive, colourful packaging and fun flavours. While vaping is an important smoking cessation tool to help current smokers quit, this Bill will limit the appeal of e-cigarettes to young people and non-smokers.

This legislation is a necessary and proportionate response to the tobacco industry and the tactics they use. No one benefits from smoking other than the industry itself, which unashamedly profits at the expense of their customers’ health and lives. For decades, the tobacco industry has fought against regulation to save their own skin. We will not let this opportunity to save thousands of lives slip away.

We must support current smokers too

This Bill is momentous, but we cannot stop here. To truly make smoking history, we need measures that will complement and build on the Bill, especially in supporting current smokers to quit. Earlier this month, the APPG for Smoking and Health published an authoritative report which details the steps needed to achieve a smokefree future.

We must see enough funding for local stop smoking services, smoking cessation mass media campaigns, and enforcement of underage and illicit trade. A “polluter pays” levy could raise up to £700m a year to help support these vital tobacco control measures, and ensure the Government’s Smokefree UK target is achieved.²

The evidence is clear – tobacco control pays off. We’ve seen smoking rates fall the most in the Northern regions of England, areas which have historically had a higher prevalence of smoking than the national average, driven by dedicated regional tobacco control activity.³ This means fewer families torn apart by smoking related ill health, and so many lives saved.

This legislation sets a strong foundation for a future where smoking is not just in decline, but is obsolete. This is our chance to ensure that young people and the most vulnerable in society are protected from the harms of smoking. Without doubt, it will help people live longer, healthier lives, and give them more time with their loved ones.

Looking ahead as the Bill moves to the Lords

Government’s goal of a smokefree UK is within reach. This is something the public wants, and as the nation’s heart charity, we will not stop fighting for it. We remain committed to supporting this lifesaving legislation as it continues its journey through Parliament, and we urge all Peers to support the Bill as it passes through the House of Lords. Together, we will make smoking history.