FEATURE
The
politics
of it all
Four Essential Moments from the
Tobacco Control Plan Debate
By Leo Forfar
On July 20, eight MPs in the House of Commons debated the
Tobacco Control Plan, just over one year since its introduction.
The strategy was put forward last July in the form of a four-point
plan. It seeks to bring about:
• Cutting the smoking rate amongst young people from eight percent
to three percent or less, and adults from over 15 percent to 12
percent or less.
• Cutting the smoking rate in pregnancy from over ten percent to
six percent or less by the end of 2022.
• Improving data collection for smoking and mental health whilst
making mental health sites smoke-free by 2018.
And most importantly, backing evidence-based innovations to
support quitting, e-cigarettes included.
So, what were the key takeaways from this session for vapers
and businesses?
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MPs are aware that vaping has had a positive influence.
Rother Valley Labour MP Sir Kevin Barron received particular
commendation from industry advocates for his strong pro-vaping
stance. Sir Kevin highlighted both the increasing institutional
support for e-cigarettes from public health bodies and their increasing
vindication via scientific research.
“Since the plan was published, Public Health England has published
an updated evidence review of e-cigarettes showing the growing
evidence that vaping is less harmful than smoking and has the
potential to support thousands more people to become smoke
free,” he said.
Sir Kevin also derided the unfair treatment vaping has been getting
in the press.
“It is very unfortunate that sensationalist media reports are creating
an air of uncertainty around e-cigarettes and deterring many smokers
from making the switch.”
Steve Brine, Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Health and Social
Care, proudly called Britain’s ongoing commitment to tobacco control
consistent and non-partisan and gave an explicit endorsement for
giving e-cigarettes greater institutional support.
“The best evidence suggests that e-cigarettes are helping thousands
of people to quit and that they are particularly effective in the context
of a smoking cessation clinic,” he said.