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Plans to phase out the sale of cigarettes in England will be the biggest public health intervention in a generation, according to UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
In a keynote speech at the Conservative Party Conference, Sunak announced his plan to raise the legal age of smoking every year by a year, eventually leading to a complete ban on tobacco sales. While the policy has received support from Labour, some critics argue that it could create a black market for cigarettes.
Smoking is the leading cause of preventable ill-health, and Sunak believes that this measure is necessary to tackle the issue. In an interview with Radio 4’s Today programme, he addressed concerns about the inconsistency with the government’s anti-obesity strategy, stating that smoking is not the same as eating unhealthy food as it cannot be part of a balanced diet.
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Smoking has been linked to various health issues, including strokes, heart disease, dementia, and cancer. Although smoking rates have been declining since the 1970s, there are still over five million smokers in England and six million across the UK. Sunak’s plan aligns with the government’s goal of making England smoke-free by 2030, with less than 5% of the population smoking.
The proposal to gradually increase the smoking age was initially suggested by Javed Khan, the former CEO of Barnardo’s. At the time, the government dismissed the idea, but Sunak has now embraced it as a means to achieve the smoke-free target. The Chief Medical Officer for England, Sir Chris Whitty, has expressed support for the ban, dismissing claims from the tobacco industry that it would be ineffective.
Labour has pledged to support the policy, emphasizing their commitment to public health. However, opposition is expected from the libertarian wing of the Conservative Party. Critics argue that the ban could lead to a significant black market for cigarettes, while others believe it infringes on personal choice and responsibility.
Cancer Research UK and campaign group Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) have commended the government’s measures, viewing them as crucial steps towards a smoke-free society. On the other hand, the director of the smokers’ rights group Forest, Simon Clark, accused Sunak of undermining personal choice.
Despite the focus on the smoking ban, Sunak’s conference was overshadowed by his decision to cancel the northern leg of the HS2 rail project. The PM defended the move, stating that investments would be redirected to other transport projects across the country.
The post Rishi Sunak Defends His Plan To Ban Smoking For Younger Generation appeared first on SurgeZirc UK.
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