Wherever it falls short in terms of an action it could take against the tobacco companies which it is not, it is beneficial that it gets criticised.
Chris Burford
London.
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH 1998/0583 Thursday 10th December 1998
SMOKING KILLS
Government unveils #100 million war on tobacco
The Government is to mount a #100 million war against tobacco to cut the number of people smoking by 1.5 million by 2010. This is the most comprehensive Government-wide programme of action ever undertaken to protect children from the effects of tobacco and to help the 7 out of 10 adult smokers who say they want to give up.
The details of the strategy are published today in "Smoking Kills - A White Paper on tobacco." Among the measures announced today are:
Over #100 million new money to tackle tobacco:
Over #100 million new money will be targeted over the next three years at tackling smoking;
Up to #60 million will fund the first ever national NHS smoking cessation programme, with advice clinics and support for adults wanting to quit;
As part of the #60 million package, counsellors will offer a week's supply of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) - free of charge to those smokers least able to afford it - to introduce smokers to the potential benefit of NRT in relieving withdrawal symptoms; #50 million will fund the most sustained and co-ordinated publicity and marketing campaign ever undertaken to stop children taking up smoking and reduce smoking amongst adults. Young people and adults who want to quit - especially the disadvantaged, and pregnant women who smoke - will be a prime focus.
Protection for children
To protect children from the effects of tobacco advertising, secondary legislation will be brought forward in the 1998/99 Parliamentary session to end tobacco advertising on billboards at the earliest practicable opportunity;
To avoid a situation in which the tobacco advertising money now spent on billboards gets shifted into printed advertising for a further year, we will consult on our proposal that advertising in the printed media will end at the same time as billboard advertising;
To protect children from tobacco advertising in shops, only minimal tobacco advertising in shops will be allowed, limiting it strictly to the gantries displaying tobacco products themselves and their prices;
New criminal offences will be considered for repeated sales of tobacco to underage children;
In the meantime, a new Enforcement Protocol to crack down on sales to under-age children has been agreed with the Local Government Association and the trading standards officers' umbrella body LACOTS;
Tougher new restrictions on the siting of vending machines in pubs and clubs have been agreed with the National Association of Cigarette Machine Operators and will be introduced - for the first time the primary consideration when siting a machine will be the need to prevent sales to children;
Plans for an industry-led proof of age card to protect shopkeepers and children will be brought forward.
Support for adults wishing to quit
The first ever national NHS smoking cessation programme will be introduced;
GPs and others will be able to refer smokers who really want to give up for a course of specialist counselling, advice and support. Smokers motivated to give up will also be able to enrol for courses where available without being referred. Each local service will be able to tailor the support it offers to suit the needs of smokers locally;
As part of the package, counsellors will offer a week's supply of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) - free of charge to those smokers least able to afford it - to introduce smokers to the potential benefit of NRT in relieving withdrawal symptoms;
The new services will be located, at first, in areas of greatest need. In 1999/00, year one, the Health Action Zones in England will receive #10 million, ring-fenced specifically for these services; for the first time in the history of the NHS, the Health Service has been issued with guidance saying Health Improvement Programmes should include comprehensive local strategies to tackle smoking. The local health service should also set its own local targets to focus effort and monitor progress. Further guidance will follow in 1999; the Health Education Authority (HEA) will develop smoking cessation guidelines for health professionals, endorsed by professional bodies;
Pregnant women will be a particular focus for NHS help and advice.
Promoting clean air
A new Charter, agreed with representatives of the licensed hospitality trade, will ensure that consumers are better able to choose whether to eat, drink or socialise in smoky atmospheres; new targets for increased smoke-free provision in public places will be introduced to be achieved over agreed timescales. Progress towards the targets will be monitored, and if necessary the targets will be reviewed, on a regular basis between the representative bodies concerned and the Department of Health;
A national industry-led scheme will be introduced to badge restaurants, pubs and bars with an agreed symbol denoting the type of smoking policy in operation inside. Consumers will then be in a position to choose which establishment to enter on the basis of its smoking policy;
The Health and Safety Commission (HSC) will consult on a new Approved Code of Practice on smoking in the workplace. This will considerably toughen existing measures. The Code will be designed to improve protection of the welfare of all employees by defining the kind of smoking policies employers need to operate to comply with existing health & safety legislation. Consultation will begin in Spring 1999.
International action on tobacco
An extra #35 million - on top of the more than #100 million for smoking cessation and media campaigns - will fund a new offensive against smuggling, including an extra 100 staff, specially trained to fight fraud and smuggling;
International development assistance funds will not be used for any purpose which identifiably supports the tobacco sector in aid recipient countries;
Guidelines will be issued to representatives in diplomatic posts, advising them not to become involved in the advertising or promotion of tobacco products;
Support will be given to the World Health Organisation's anti-tobacco work - including support for an International Framework Convention on tobacco control;
Constructive work will be undertaken on forthcoming European Union proposals to cover tar, nicotine and carbon monoxide levels, labelling requirements, and further information on additives and other non-tobacco ingredients.
Tough new targets
New challenging targets will be set to reduce smoking in England. Separate targets will be set in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The targets for England are:
To reduce smoking among children from 13% to 9% or less by the year 2010; with a fall to 11% by the year 2005. This will mean approximately 110,000 fewer children smoking in England by the year 2010;
To reduce adult smoking in all social classes so that the overall rate falls from 28% to 24% or less by the year 2010; with a fall to 26% by the year 2005. In terms of today's population, this would mean 1.5 million fewer smokers in England;
To reduce the percentage of women who smoke during pregnancy from 23% to 15% by the year 2010; with a fall to 18% by the year 2005. This will mean approximately 55,000 fewer women in England who smoke during pregnancy.
[ENDS]
# = pounds sterling