Response to DHSC press release: "Smokers encouraged to swap cigarettes for vapes in world first scheme"

Deborah Arnott, chief executive of ASH, said,
“In 2019 the government committed to making England smokefree by 2030, but it took four years for a public health minister to secure concrete action to deliver. Vapes increase smokers chances of successfully quitting, as do vouchers for pregnant smokers so these are welcome steps in the right direction, but they are nowhere near sufficient.”

“Last year’s Khan report, commissioned by government, warned that without immediate and sustained action the smokefree 2030 target would be missed by years. Not enough has changed, so that is still the case. Khan’s comprehensive strategy required funding of £125 million a year, many times more than the current announcements. Funding that’s desperately needed to reinstate cuts of more than 90% to mass media campaigns, and nearly a half to smoking cessation services and wider tobacco control. Not to mention the absence of the tougher regulations Khan recommended to raise the age of sale, and reduce the appeal of smoking as well as vaping.”

Former smoker Sue Mountain, from South Tyneside, who quit smoking after treatment for laryngeal cancer said,
“Tackling underage vaping is important and more regulation is clearly needed, but smoking is still the biggest risk to our children and action is needed there too. Hundreds of children a day start smoking and risk a lifelong addiction which will kill up to two thirds of long-term smokers.”

“Smoking killed nearly eight million people in the UK in the last 50 years and continues to kill tens of thousands every year. Without a comprehensive and well-funded strategy there’s no way the Government will achieve its smokefree 2030 ambition. Tobacco companies are making massive profits from an addiction that robs people of their lives and their health. Big Tobacco needs to pay for the damage it does – the government should make the companies fund more support for smokers and awareness campaigns discouraging children from starting and motivating smokers to stop.”

Professor Linda Bauld, Director of the SPECTRUM Research Consortium and Co-Chair of the Smoking in Pregnancy Challenge Group said:
“We welcome the Government’s commitment to introduce financial incentives to support more pregnant women to quit smoking. Incentives more than double the odds of women quitting during pregnancy, protecting babies from exposure to potentially deadly chemicals like carbon monoxide.”

“Incentive schemes have been successfully rolled out in places like Greater Manchester and are highly cost effective, with a return on investment of £4 for every £1 spent. A national scheme will reduce the burden on the NHS and help to get us on track to deliver a smokefree start for every child by 2030. “

Dr. Clea Harmer, Chief Executive of Sands and Co-Chair of the Smoking in Pregnancy Challenge Group said:
“It’s great to see the Government announce more support to help pregnant women quit smoking. Incentives during pregnancy will save babies’ lives and ease the financial burden on families in some of the most deprived parts of the country.”

“As well as being a leading cause of stillbirth and miscarriage, smoking traps families in a vicious cycle of poverty and addiction. The average smoker spends around £2,500 on tobacco every year to maintain their addiction, and 1 million children in England grow up in households living in poverty once the cost of smoking is included.”

“Every baby deserves a smokefree start in life and financial incentives will go a long way towards achieving this goal.”