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Public health professionals call for levy on tobacco companies
Professionals working across public health are urging the UK chancellor to introduce a "polluter pays" levy on the tobacco industry in the upcoming budget to support a smoke-free UK. In an open letter, they emphasise that tackling smoking is essential for achieving Labour's goal of reducing health disparities and improving public finances.
Smoking costs the UK £93 billion annually, including a £13.5 billion net cost to public finances. The letter advocates for sustained funding for smoking cessation, marketing campaigns, and a robust illicit tobacco strategy, while highlighting that smoking cessation programs save £2.37 for every £1 invested.
They also call for renewed ambition in tobacco control, recommending a £700 million annual levy on tobacco manufacturers and continued funding for international tobacco control efforts. The letter warns that underinvestment in smoking cessation is a missed opportunity, noting that cuts to NHS funding have led to higher costs in the long term.
Source: BMJ, 16 October 2024
See also: BMJ - Achieving a smoke-free country—a best buy for the UK chancellor
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Gower Tan’s smoking story
Writing for Metro, Gower Tan recounts his father's struggle with lung cancer, which ultimately led to his death at 66, and reflects on his own battle with smoking, a habit he picked up at 13 and maintained for nearly three decades.
Despite numerous failed attempts to quit, it was witnessing his brother’s success with a stop smoking service that finally inspired him to seek help. After a pivotal clinic visit in 2009, he quit smoking for good, a decision that has saved him thousands of pounds and possibly years of his life.
Now, working for Cancer Research UK, he advocates for stronger anti-smoking measures, including raising the legal age for tobacco sales, to prevent others from falling into the same addiction that killed his father. His story underscores the devastating grip of addiction and the urgent need for government action to reduce smoking rates.
Source: Metro, 17 October 2024
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Current and former smokers in Scunthorpe offered lung health checks
People aged 55 to 74 in Scunthorpe are being invited to participate in a lung health check programme as part of a regional rollout in North Lincolnshire. Eligible participants will receive a letter to schedule a phone assessment, followed by a CT scan at a mobile unit if needed, starting in November. The programme also offers support for smoking cessation.
Source: BBC, 16 October 2024
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Experts highlight concerns with NHS obesity plan
Over 200 doctors have written to the health secretary with concerns about his comments about weight loss jabs being used to get obese people back to work as well highlighting issues with the NHS obesity treatment services, including underfunding, workforce challenges, and long waiting times.
The Obesity Health Alliance (OHA) emphasises that while these drugs can aid weight loss, they are not standalone solutions; patients still need comprehensive care including exercise and dietary support. The OHA have urged the government to address systemic issues in obesity care.
Additionally, experts caution against unregulated online sales of weight loss drugs, which pose health risks, and advocate for preventive public health measures to tackle obesity.
Source: BBC, 16 October 2024
See also: Obesity Health Alliance – Open Letter to the Secretary of State for Health & Social Care
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Opinion: Government should increase taxes on gambling
Writing for the Times, columnist Alice Thomson argues for increasing the taxes on gambling. Thomson says it would bring in a much needed boost to public finances whilst also improving public health.
Source: The Times, 15 October 2024
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Written questions
Asked by Kemi Badenoch, Conservative, North West Essex
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the introduction of a pub smoking ban would be deemed to be a material consideration for the purposes of calculating the Rateable Value.
Answered by James Murray, Labour, Ealing North
The Local Government Finance Act 1988 states that no account is to be taken of any matter that is directly attributable to a change in legislation when determining a pub's rateable value.
Source: Hansard, 15 October 2024
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Asked by Deirdre Costigan, Labour, Ealing Southall
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to help prevent the causes of (a) heart disease and (b) stroke.
Answered by Andrew Gwynne, Labour, Gorton and Denton
Cardiovascular disease (CVD), including heart disease and stroke, is a leading cause of avoidable disability and premature death in the United Kingdom. This is why the Government has set a goal for fewer lives being lost to the biggest killers, including from CVD, and why the NHS England Long Term Plan (2019) sets out a number of actions that aim to help prevent up to 150,000 heart attacks, strokes, and dementia cases by 2029.The Government continues to support the delivery of the NHS Health Check programme, England's CVD prevention programme, to people aged 40 to 74 years old. This programme identifies people at risk of CVD, supports people to reduce their risk, and prevents approximately 400 heart attacks or strokes each year. To improve access and engagement with the life-saving programme, we are developing a digital NHS Health Check which will be ready for testing in early 2025 and will enable people to undertake a check at home. We are also trialling the delivery of heart health checks to over 130,000 people in workplaces across the country. Community pharmacies also provide a free blood pressure check service for anyone over 40 years old. In cases where this results in a high reading, pharmacists can make sure people receive the right National Health Service support to reduce their blood pressure and risk of death or serious disability. We are also taking action on primary prevention to tackle the behavioural risk factors for heart disease and stroke such as smoking and obesity. Action includes introducing the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, implementing the advertising regulations for less healthy food and drink on television and online, and empowering councils to block the development of new fast-food shops outside schools. We know there is more to do to prevent the causes of CVD, including heart disease and stroke. The Department and NHS England are working together to achieve the Government's ambition for fewer lives lost to the biggest killers, including CVD, and we will share more in due course.
Source: Hansard, 15 October 2024
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