Cancer Reform Strategy - NHS Cancer Screening Programmes

CHAPTER 2: PREVENTING CANCER 352.15 The new smokefree law in England, whichhas been effective since 1 July 2007, has beendescribed as the single most important publichealth initiative for a generation. The newsmokefree law will provide protection foreveryone in virtually all enclosed workplaces andpublic places from the harmful effects of secondhand smoke.2.16 Second hand smoke is a serious healthhazard and there is no safe level of exposure.Scientific evidence shows that exposure tosecond hand smoke increases the risk of seriousmedical conditions such as lung cancer, heartdisease, asthma attacks and sudden infant deathsyndrome. While the law in England is still in itsearly days, we already know that:●●●Support for a Smokefree England is strong,with over three-quarters of people in supportof the new law. More smokers support thelaw than oppose it;Smokefree legislation is well respected withover 98% of smokefree premises andvehicles inspected by local authorities acrossEngland in August being properly compliant;andResearchers have found that, sincesmokefree legislation was introduced inScotland in March 2006, there has been adramatic improvement in air quality in pubs;no increase in smoking in the home andreduced tobacco consumption, particularly indisadvantaged communities.2.17 In October 2007, the age of purchase ofcigarettes was raised from 16 to 18. We believethat this increase in the age of sale for tobacco,with recently announced legislative proposals fortougher sanctions against retailers who breakthe law, will help to reduce the availability ofcigarettes to young people. It will also help tocommunicate the serious health risks associatedwith smoking and contribute to a furtherreduction in the numbers of young people whotake up smoking in the first place.2.18 However, the tobacco epidemic is not yetover. We must see the implementation ofsmokefree legislation as the launch pad to takefurther action to tackle smoking in this country.Tobacco control policy must remain a priority,both nationally and locally. Smoking ratesremain comparatively high in routine andmanual workers and in the north of Englandand smoking prevalence is particularly high insome very deprived groups. Eighteen percent ofmen and 16% of women in the professionaland managerial groups smoke compared with32% of men and 29% of women in routine andmanual groups (2005 figures).2.19 Around seven in ten smokers say theywant to quit smoking. Smokers who quit withthe support of the NHS are significantly morelikely to succeed than those who do not makeuse of NHS support. In the six years since 2000,the number of smokers who have used thesupport available from the NHS stop smokingservices has increased by over 350%. We willcontinue to make every effort to encouragesmokers to quit with the support of the NHSinto the future.2.20 The government runs highly effective stopsmoking campaigns to motivate and supportsmokers to stop and particularly to encouragethem to use NHS support when quitting, soincreasing their chances of doing so successfully.So far this year, over a million people haveresponded to the campaign via the NHSSmoking Helpline, www.gosmokefree.co.ukwebsite and interactive TV, to ask for support tostop smoking.2.21 The government is currently proposingnew prohibition orders for retailers who sell tounderage children. These new measuresadequately reflect the seriousness of sellingtobacco to underage children. Access tocigarettes by under 16 year olds has not been asdifficult as it should be – less than a quarter of11-15 year olds who have tried to buy cigarettesfrom small shops have found it difficult to do so.Those who repeatedly flout the law and selltobacco to children should not be allowed tocontinue to sell a harmful and addictive productsuch as tobacco.