Standardised Tobacco Packaging to Cut Down Smoking in Young Adults

Smoking rates have dropped in UK to around a fifth of the population but the decline has slowed in recent years. Cancer Research UK estimates 2.7 million will become smokers as young adults out of the 12 million aged uner 16. Cancer Research UK aims to reduce the number of young people who start smoking and later get addicted.

Sarah Woolnough, Cancer Research UK’s executive director of policy, said, “We must challenge the idea that tobacco is a normal product if we’re to stop tobacco killing so many people. For too long tobacco has been allowed to cause illness and death. If we’re serious about health, we must do more to reduce smoking rates. Three years ago we began campaigning for cigarettes to be sold only in plain, standardised packaging which evidence shows reduces the appeal of tobacco to children. We are delighted the Government is committed to achieving this, and the time has come to vote to save the lives of future generations.”

Jane Ellison Public Health Minister announced, “With overwhelming support from both the public and health communities as well as backing across the political spectrum, the Government would vote on standardised tobacco packaging before the general election in May.”

Based on the evidence from Australia, there was a 15 percent reduction in smoking prevalence after the standard packaging, from 2010 – 2013.

Woolnough said, “Our latest calculations reveal the appallingly high number of lives that will be lost unless we move faster to reduce the lethal impact of tobacco.”

Source-Medindia