The UK is considering raising the age limit for tobacco as part of its national smoke-free strategy for 2030.
In 2017, the UK's tobacco control plan released a smoke-free strategy aimed at reducing smoking rates to 5% or below, which translates to approximately one smoker in every 20 people. The plan was officially launched in 2019 with the ultimate aim of achieving a "smoke-free" status by 2030.
According to data, 97% of England's regions may not achieve this goal, with only 4 out of 135 counties in England currently on track. These figures are based on the current rates of smoking prevalence and cessation, as reported by PHE.
Aside from the obvious public health impacts, it is expected that this delay will cost local authorities and the NHS approximately £40.4 billion in social care expenses. In fact, according to NHS data, there were over 500,000 hospital admissions related to smoking in just 2019 alone. This figure is 10% higher than it was a decade ago.
Local authorities have been studying ways to promote these plans. In addition to raising the smoking age from 18 to 21, the Health Minister Sajid Javid recently commissioned a review led by former CEO of children's charity Barnardo's, Javed Khan. It is expected that new taxes will be imposed on tobacco companies.
Reportedly, the review also recommends encouraging smokers to switch to e-cigarettes. The Guardian cites Khan as saying he supports "polluter pays," which means tobacco companies will be forced to provide funding for anti-smoking policies.
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