England: Government study recommends raising tobacco sales age every year

The legal age for selling cigarettes in England should be raised by one year each year until no one can buy tobacco products, according to a study.[1] Commissioned by Health Secretary Sajid Javid, this gradual increase in the minimum age from 18 is one of 15 recommendations made to help achieve the goal of a tobacco-free generation by 2030.

This study, commissioned by the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, provides evidence-based advice that will inform the government's approach to preventing young people from starting to smoke and helping smokers quit. The study makes 15 recommendations to the government to achieve a tobacco-free generation by 2030.

The weight of tobacco in England

Although progress has been made in reducing smoking rates, which are now at their lowest levels ever recorded, almost 6 million people still smoke in England (14% of the adult population) and smoking remains a leading cause of social disparities in health. People living in the most deprived areas of England (north and central) are 2.5 times more likely to smoke than those living in other areas and they often have more difficulty quitting. For example, in less socially privileged cities such as Manchester the prevalence remains relatively high (20.8%), while more affluent cities such as Wokingham or Richmond upon Thames have much lower smoking prevalences (5.5% and 6% respectively).[1]Smoking causes 64,000 premature deaths each year in England.

A set of coherent measures to achieve a tobacco-free generation

The report calls for an additional £125 million a year to be invested in anti-smoking policies, with an additional £70 million a year earmarked for smoking cessation services and £15 million for media campaigns. This program could be funded by the tobacco industry through a polluter-pays tax.

Among the fifteen other proposed measures, the key measure is to raise the legal age (currently 18) for purchasing cigarettes and other tobacco products by one year each year until, eventually, no one can buy these products. It is also recommended to reduce the number of points of sale by banning the sale of tobacco in supermarkets and introducing a tobacco sales license for retailers. An immediate increase of 30% in taxes on all tobacco products is called for, particularly for cheaper products such as rolling tobacco, with a view to aligning its price with that of manufactured cigarettes.

The National Health Service is urged to prioritize prevention by taking additional measures to encourage smokers to quit. Support and treatment should be provided across all services, including primary care. The report also recommends offering e-cigarettes as an alternative to tobacco and training healthcare professionals on this issue.

Finally, the deployment of outdoor and indoor smoke-free places (social housing) to denormalize smoking and protect against passive smoking will also be a priority.

©Generation Without Tobacco

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