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Plymouth people say smoking should be 'outlawed altogether'
The new Labour government have unveiled their plans to create a "smoke-free" generation by 2040 - and many PlymouthLive readers, smokers and non-smokers, support the effort. Some of their comments are reprinted in this article.
Smoking is estimated to cost the UK economy £7 billion more in things like healthcare and "lost productivity" than it returns in taxes. Ministers will also have oversight of the packaging, marketing and display of other nicotine products like vapes, to lower the risk of children turning to them.
Reader Marky270 says: “I have never been a fan of the Labour party, but this is a great idea! Why should we have to put up with people smoking when out and about and the wind makes it blow in your face from strangers? It is a dirty and dangerous habit and should be outlawed altogether - even in the great outdoors. Well Done!”
Commenter Ontrack writes: “Walking around town, you see cafés and pubs having their tables and chairs outside, and the smoking must look glamorous to children. Vapes and all the flavours they have must be like going in a shop and and looking at all the flavours of ice creams.”
Saferatspeed says: “There isn’t anywhere smokers don’t affect other people, except when they are alone. Therefore this isn’t about their rights, it’s about the rights of others to not have to breathe it. It should be banned completely.”
There are those who have reservations, like commenter Lancaster2: “From a personal point I agree with the ban. But if people crave tobacco enough, will still get it from another source, no matter what their age. Or maybe go to another substance.”
Mickey Moo 11 writes: “It's up to the public if you want to smoke or vape, except when in places for eating. Police are short enough as it is.”
Reader Tories Out is pleased: “As a smoker I support these plans, it was the only good idea the Tories had in 14 years.”
Source: Plymouth Live, 21 July 2024
Editorial note: The age of sale restriction will not be enforced by the police, instead trading standards will be responsible for ensuring compliance with new regulations. Find more answers to common concerns surrounding the Tobacco and Vapes Bill in the Frequently Asked Questions webpage
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‘My mum is smoking her savings away – will she have enough money in retirement?’
Writing in the Moral Money column in the Telegraph, Sam Seacomb answers a readers question surrounding her mothers smoking.
The anonymous reader explains her mother has smoked for 50 years and is struggling to finance her habit out of her pension. Her mother now lives with COPD, caused by smoking and has been advised by her doctor to give up. Her mother, however, continues her habit. A family argument has broken out after the reader purchased some cigarettes for her mother in duty free, with her brother claiming this was immoral and that they should both be doing what they can to make her quit. The reader questions whether her decision to buy her mother cigarettes was an immoral use of her money.
Responding to this query, ‘Moral Money’ columnist Sam Seacomb, points out that a heavy smoking habit can amount to a £5000 a year expenditure which is worrying for someone living on a limited pension. She suggests a frank conversation about financial planning.
Moving on to discuss the health impacts, Seacomb writes: “Nicotine is highly addictive. Most smokers who claim they get pleasure from smoking are describing relief from nicotine withdrawal experienced when they have a cigarette.” Ex-smoker Seacomb recounts brushing aside the health and financial cost of smoking to justify her addiction to herself.
Seacomb was finally able to quit but points out that it can be difficult to persuade family to take that same step. She suggests that the reader does what she can to make sure her mother has all the information and access to support and hope that she decides to deal with her addiction.
Source: The Telegraph, 22 July 2024
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Healthcare in Crisis UK 2024
Writing in North West Bylines, Lord Rennard, Liberal Democrat Peer and member of the All Party Group on Smoking and Health, asks whether anything in the King’s Speech addressed the crisis in the NHS.
Lord Rennard begins by stating that addressing the NHS crisis necessitates tackling the crisis in social care but the recent King's Speech failed to mention this crucial link. For Rennard, failings in the provision of social care means many patients remain in hospitals longer than necessary, costing £3,000 a week and occupying staff who could care for others. Rennard argues that proper home care and support for timely discharge could go some way towards alleviating NHS pressures.
Rennard also writes that targeting the root causes of ill health will also be vital. With one in five children obese by the end of primary school, the long-term treatment costs are significant. Rennard suggests providing healthy, nutritious, and free school meals until age eleven and eliminating tax credit discrimination against larger families can help. Planning laws should also limit fast-food outlets near schools, he writes.
Rennard continues by referencing the successful "sugar tax" which has reduced sugar consumption in adults and children and arguing it could be expanded to improve food composition and habits. The previous government's Obesity Plan was blocked due to lobbying and political opposition; Rennard thinks it should be reinstated, including strategies to curb advertising of ultra-processed foods and improve children's education on healthy eating and cooking.
Improving the nations health requires investment in long-term plans, with the recognition that spending more now can reduce much costly future need. Rennard highlights the health related employment deficit, referencing the 360,000 people out of work due to diabetes related conditions alone.
For Rennard, the King's Speech's proposal to progressively ban tobacco sales based on age is promising, as smoking accounts for half the life expectancy gap between the richest and poorest in the UK. Rennard writes that reducing smoking rates can bring financial benefits, estimated at £800 million per percentage point decline, and improve public health.
Concluding, Rennard states that the government should invest in health and care with a long-term perspective, as such investments can reduce future costs for the Department of Work and Pensions, increase HMRC revenues, and alleviate NHS pressures, benefiting both current and future administrations.
Source: North West Bylines, 21 July 2024
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House of Lords health debate on the King’s Speech
On Friday 19th July, members of the House of Lords debated the measures in the Kings Speech, with principal topics for debate being education, early years and healthcare. Several Peers spoke in favour of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill during their speeches. Below is a list of these Peers and links to written records of their speeches.
Source: Hansard, 19 July 2024
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