Sources within the UK Parliament have suggested that the government is considering quietly abandoning its commitment to becoming a smoke-free country by 2030. Despite a statement from the Health and Social Care Secretary, Steve Barclay, Whitehall insiders indicate that the 2030 target is being shelved, with the first step being the removal of the goal entirely.
The initial plan was to set a legal age limit for purchasing tobacco products, and then gradually increase it each year until no one could purchase tobacco products at all. However, this approach was met with strong opposition from a group of Conservative Party lawmakers, including those who believe in a free market and those who have received gifts and favours from the tobacco industry.
A spokesperson for the Health Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) commented that "any competent government would not abandon the goal of a smoke-free 2030. This shows a lack of imagination and courage on the part of a government that is clearly in its final stages.
Bob Blackman, the chair of the cross-party parliamentary group on smoking and health, has stated that "when the government attempts to reduce waiting lists in the UK National Health Service (NHS), downplaying our tobacco strategy will have the opposite effect.
Last year, the "Khan Review" stated that the government has set a target for England to be smoke-free by 2030, meaning only 5% of the population will be smokers by then. Failure to meet this goal would hinder the government's declaration to extend healthy life expectancy by five years by 2035. It would also prevent the government from achieving its ambitious goal of saving more lives as part of the new 10-year cancer plan.
At the same time, Michelle Mitchell, CEO of Cancer Research UK, questioned whether the government remembers that it was supposed to launch a war against cancer.
Less than a year ago, many health ministers, including Sajid Javid, declared war to promote research and eliminate inequalities.
Mitchell stated that thus far there is "no strategy, plan, or funds.
The implication now is that the government will also be unable to take practical steps to promote the spread of electronic cigarettes.
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