London (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Cancer Research UK warns that smoking will cause 300,000 cancer cases in Britain by 2029, calling for legislative changes to control tobacco use and protect public health.Â
MPs are urged to support the Tobacco and Vapes bill as smoking is set to cause almost 300,000 cancer cases in the UK within the next five years.Â
The House of Commons will conduct its second reading on Tuesday, which includes plans to ban smoking for those born after January 1, 2009, from buying tobacco legally.
Cancer Research UK stated that the “magnitude of damage” caused by cigarettes, the leading cause of death in the UK, can’t be ignored, with 350 young people starting to smoke every day.
Research centre described this bill as a “historic opportunity” to reduce cancer cases and ease the mounting burden on the National Health Service (NHS).
The study by charity estimates that nearly 160 tobacco-related cancers were diagnosed daily in 2023.
Analysis from Cancer Research UK’s latest report predicts 296,661 new cancer cases by the year 2029 if smoking trends continue.
Cigarette-related cancer cases are projected to occur before the end of the parliamentary term from July 2024 to July 2029, according to Cancer Research UK’s study.
The projection includes 243,045 cases in England, 29,365 in Scotland, 15,161 in Wales, and 9,090 in Northern Ireland.
The ONS Annual Population survey in 2023 concluded that 11.9% of adults in the UK, or approximately six million people, used smoking products. This is the lowest percentage of smokers recorded since the ONS began tracking smoking rates in 2011.
The Guardian reported that the study forecast 2,846 cancer cases in the UK from secondhand smoke exposure among non-smokers.
A recent study endorsed by Cancer Research UK found that 350 young people aged between 18 to 25 started smoking daily, with 35,000 new smokers after the King’s speech in July.
Dr Ian Walker, executive director of policy at Cancer Research UK stated, “Tobacco kills up to two-thirds of its users. The magnitude of damage caused by smoking cannot be ignored and these statistics expose the lives that are at stake.”
He added, “We know that smoking rates decline with government intervention. Raising the age of sale of tobacco products and funding cessation services will help to protect people from a lifetime of deadly and costly addiction.”
Cancer Research UK is calling on all MPs to back the Tobacco and Vapes Bill to tackle public health issues.
The Tobacco and Vapes bill was presented in Parliament in early November and will have its second reading in the House of Commons on Tuesday.
Under the proposed bill those born after January 1, 2009, would be banned from smoking by raising the legal tobacco buying age.
Limitations on vaping and smoking near schools and playgrounds are also included in the proposed legislation.
The bill is also planning to limit advertising and sponsorship, flavours, and packaging to curb their appeal to children and adults.
Dr Walker stated, “The tobacco and vapes bill could be one of the most impactful public health interventions in my lifetime.”
“People’s lives are now in the hands of politicians and I urge all MPs to vote for a future free from the harms of tobacco.”
Prof Chris Whitty, England’s top health official, stated that a “smoke-free” Britain would reduce stillbirths, childhood asthma, cancer, strokes, heart disease, and dementia.