Smoking in United Kingdom
The overall smoking prevalence in the United Kingdom has reduced significantly since 2011. 12.9% of the adult population in the United Kingdom are current smokers, down from 20.2% in 2011. This means there are now approximately 6.4 million smokers in the country. 14.6% of men smoke, whilst 11.2% of women are current smokers. The most recent data show there were 114,513 annual deaths attributable to tobacco smoking (approximately 51,700 women and 62,800 men). The annual percentage of all deaths attributable to tobacco smoking was 18.87% (women: 16.9%; and men: 20.5%). Nicotine vapes (e-cigarettes) are legal in the United Kingdom and there are 3.6 million vapers in the country, giving an adult vaping prevalence of 6.4% (women: 5.6%; and men: 7.2%). There is a requirement to ensure vape packaging contains a health warning, there are no restrictions on the range of flavours available and they can only be sold to those 18 and older. Vaping devices can be purchased without a prescription and there are no legal restrictions on their use in public places. Heated tobacco products (HTP) are allowed to be used and can be marketed, but the situation is more complicated for snus. While it is illegal to import snus for trade or buy the product online, it is possible to import it for personal use. Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) products can be marketed and are available to buy in many general shops without a prescription. The NRT market in the United Kingdom is worth €165.4 million. For further information and full references, click through to the detailed datasheets above.
Read articles from United Kingdom
April 24, 2024 by planetofthevapes.co.uk
UKVIA Welcomes RCP Report
The UK Vaping Industry Association supports the Royal College of Physicians' report on vaping and smoking cessation, warning against potential flavor bans. It praises the report's emphasis on reducing youth vaping, improving healthcare advice, and cracking down on rogue traders. The association urges the government to consider the report's evidence-based recommendations, highlighting vaping's role in helping smokers quit. It also stresses the importance of maintaining diverse flavors, proper packaging, and regulatory control to support smokers switching to e-cigarettes. The industry aligns with the report's goal of reducing smoking-related health inequalities and promoting vaping as a safer alternative.
April 24, 2024 by tobaccoreporter.com
Royal College Releases New E-cig Report
The Royal College of Physicians' report emphasizes the effectiveness of e-cigarettes in smoking cessation but calls for measures to reduce appeal to nonsmokers. It suggests decreasing youth vaping through standardized packaging, flavor restrictions, and retail display bans. The report recommends affordable pricing for adult quit-smokers while deterring youth by taxing disposable e-cigarettes. Researchers stress the need for further studies on vaping health risks and urge regulators to limit the influence of cigarette manufacturers on policy development. They propose regular updates on nicotine product usage effects to inform policy decisions.
April 24, 2024 by rcplondon.ac.uk
RCP calls for regulations to protect children and young people from vaping
The RCP’s new report says more should be done to reduce the appeal and availability of e-cigarettes to children and young people. E-cigarettes and harm reduction: an evidence review 2024 makes several recommendations for regulation, including restricting the promotion of e-cigarettes on social media, making e-cigarettes less affordable for young people, and introducing standardised packaging to make vapes and e-cigarettes less appealing. Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) survey data shows that the prevalence of vaping among children and young people aged 11–17 has more than doubled from 3.2% in 2021 to 7.6% in 2023.
April 23, 2024 by swlondoner.co.uk
Is standardised packaging an alternative to nation-wide vape ban?
Dr. Robson from King’s College London suggests using alternatives like banning colorful vape packaging to address rising young people vaping rates, in response to the government's plan to ban disposable vapes. Research shows standard packaging reduces teen interest, especially in sweet flavors. Dr. Robson highlights the appeal of sweet flavors to both youth and adults and mentions the complex nature of the issue. Menthol bans have had varying success, with Dr. Robson pointing out the existing workaround problems. ASH's Deputy CEO explains the appeal of disposable vapes goes beyond flavor, affecting market trends. London has lower youth vaping rates but still significant compared to the UK.
April 22, 2024 by colinmendelsohn.com.au
The UK Smokefree Generation Proposal: Right Intent, Wrong Priority
The UK's proposed generational smoking ban aims to raise the legal age for purchasing cigarettes, though concerns exist about effectiveness and potential fueling of black market sales. Australia must address the stagnant smoking rates among adults while considering innovative solutions like vaping as a safer alternative. Focus should shift towards helping older smokers quit, where vaping has shown promise, rather than solely targeting youth uptake. Prioritizing solutions for stubbornly addicted adult smokers is crucial for public health efforts. Enabling access to safer alternatives could lead to longer and healthier lives, outweighing the emphasis on generational smoking bans.
April 22, 2024 by theconversation.com
The UK plans to phase out smoking. What does this new law mean for tobacco control in Australia?
There are no quick fixes in addressing public health issues like smoking. Measures like increasing tobacco prices and implementing strict regulations have been effective in reducing smoking rates. Recent legislation in the UK aims to phase out the legal sale of tobacco products and prevent future generations from becoming addicted. Australia has also introduced new tobacco control reforms, with a goal of reducing smoking prevalence. The debate on further restrictions on vaping products is ongoing. These efforts highlight the importance of continued vigilance against the tobacco industry's influence to create a smoke-free future for upcoming generations.
April 18, 2024 by theguardian.com
This new bill could wipe out smoking – the only losers would be those who profit from it
Smoking addiction affects many, with about 80,000 deaths yearly in the UK. Smoking-related diseases heavily impact deprived areas. Proposals in a tobacco bill aim to create a smoke-free generation, banning sales to under 15s, supported by health professionals and the public. This move can reduce lung cancer, heart diseases, and birth complications over time. The tobacco industry's tactics to promote addiction are concerning, despite evidence showing control measures reduce illegal sales. The bill's approval could significantly improve public health by preventing future diseases and reducing health inequalities for children.
April 18, 2024 by theguardian.com
This new bill could wipe out smoking – the only losers would be those who profit from it | Chris Whitty
Smoking addiction affects many, with about 80,000 deaths yearly in the UK. Smoking-related diseases heavily impact deprived areas. Proposals in a tobacco bill aim to create a smoke-free generation, banning sales to under 15s, supported by health professionals and the public. This move can reduce lung cancer, heart diseases, and birth complications over time. The tobacco industry's tactics to promote addiction are concerning, despite evidence showing control measures reduce illegal sales. The bill's approval could significantly improve public health by preventing future diseases and reducing health inequalities for children.
April 17, 2024 by spiked-online.com
The panic over vaping is pure hysteria
Vaping has emerged as a safer alternative to smoking, providing nicotine without harmful combustion byproducts. Despite its popularity with 5.2% of UK adults, some still criticize vaping, ignoring evidence of its reduced risks compared to smoking. With misinformation spreading, studies like the one claiming vaping increases heart failure risk by 19% are met with skepticism due to lack of peer-review and potential biases. The WHO's exaggerated warnings, like linking vaping to seizures, lack substantial evidence. Properly regulated vaping is seen as a successful harm reduction tool, contrasting with anti-nicotine sentiments.
April 17, 2024 by bbc.com
MPs back smoking ban for those born after 2009
MPs have backed a plan to ban anyone born after 2009 from buying cigarettes, effectively ensuring it will become law. The measures, championed by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, survived despite opposition from several leading Tory figures - including two ex-PMs. Health Secretary Victoria Atkins told MPs "there is no liberty in addiction" as she defended the plans. The Tobacco and Vapes Bill passed by 383 votes to 67. If they become law, the UK's smoking laws will be among the strictest in the world.
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