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A “radical” independent review commissioned by Sajid Javid, the Health Secreary, is expected to be published in the coming weeks and will reportedly recommend that the legal age to purchase cigarettes is increased from 18 to 21 years of age and new taxes are placed on tobacco company profits. The report is also likely to recommend that the NHS does more to promote vaping and e-cigarettes with smokers, especially pregnant mothers.
Javed Khan, the review’s author, is a former CEO of Barnardo’s and has previously said he supports a “polluter pays” principle that would charge tobacco companies for the cost of tobacco control policies. The review is also expected to recommend such a levy on the profits of tobacco companies with funds raised used to resource smoking-cessation services and other measures to help people stop smoking.
Three sources close to the report said the review had been commissioned in February as “political cover” for Mr Javid, to avoid plans for England to become smokefree by 2030 being scrapped by Downing Street. Boris Johnson and his aides are reportedly in favour of “knocking the barnacles off the boat” by shelving policy ideas that are unpopular with backbenchers, but it is claimed Mr Javid hopes the review will allow him to make the case that reform is needed. “Sajid Javid is interested in health inequality and he is interested in tackling public health issues, but the Government is in hock to right-wing MPs,” said one source involved in the report. “On tobacco, they are still nervous about some kind of nanny state attack.” A Downing Street source indicated that Mr Johnson does not believe the age should be increased because the Government considers 18 to be the age of legal responsibility.
Mr Khan’s review was originally intended to be published this week, but is now understood to have been pushed back because of scheduling pressures. Its recommendations will be subject to a consultation before any new policy is announced.
Source: Telegraph, 20 May 2022
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Boris Johnson’s newly appointed key adviser, David Canzini, has emerged as one of the most divisive figures in Downing Street. Canzini is described as the protégé of ‘election guru’ Lynton Crosby and has been labelled his “unacceptable version.” Tensions surrounding his influence on the direction of government policy are high, and some believe his relentless focus on conservatism may revive the Tories’ “nasty party” image, despite his official title remaining unclear.
Canzini is described as a veteran Conservative operative with deep connections at every level of the party. He was brought in by Johnson in February to repair relations with MPs and activists. “He has got a phenomenal hinterland in the Conservative Party,” says one friend. “He knows everyone, including in the voluntary party.” His recent high-profile interventions include a hardline approach to the Northern Ireland protocol and moving to block a windfall tax on oil and gas companies.
Canzini worked for William Hague and David Davis before joining Crosby’s consulting firm. He is fond of citing Crosby’s instruction to “get the barnacles off the boat”, and this focus on “Conservative” issues saw him take a key role in culling marginal legislation from the Queen’s Speech. “He is having a big effect across government,” says one political official. “He is just telling people to have a relentless focus on conservatism, and put the politics back in. He’s not from Whitehall and it’s great, he can just come in and say: ‘What’s conservative about this?’ ”
Source: The Times, 20 May 2022
Editorial note: David Canzini is a close ally of Lynton Crosby, working for Crosby’s consultancy firm, C|T Group prior to joining Number 10. In 2013 Crosby was exposed for working for PMI when he advised David Cameron to abandon plans to introduce plain packaging for tobacco products. He said this was to “get the barnacles off the boat”, wording Canzini has been quoted as using when advising Number 10 to delay implementing new obesity legislation recently. Lynton Crosby is also accused of still advising the PM behind the scenes.
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Illegal cigarettes risk widening health disparities during cost-of-living crisis
As cost-of-living concerns grow, the Local Government Association (LGA), which represents 350 councils across England and Wales, are warning that smokers could increasingly turn to illicit tobacco, which can be sold for as little as half-market price, to cut costs.
The LGA warn that cheaper illicit tobacco may increase smoking prevalence, as rogue traders exploit household budget pressures, particularly among poorer communities. This would not only hamper council efforts to reduce smoking but also exacerbate existing health inequalities between low-income groups, where smoking rates are disproportionately high, and the wider population.
Local authorities’ public health grant has reduced by £1 billion since 2015/16, leaving them less positioned to tackle the social and geographical inequalities in smoking. Ahead of the publication of an Independent review of Smokefree 2030 policies, the LGA says more investment is needed in tobacco control measures. The LGA also said the forthcoming review must recognise the role of enforcement to disrupt illegal sales to minors and of illicit tobacco, in order to fulfil ambitions for a Smoke Free England by 2030.
Chair of the Local Government Association’s Safer Stronger Communities Board, Cllr Nesil Caliskan said: “Quitting smoking is the single most impactful thing a person can do to improve their health, and while considerable progress has been made in reducing the number of smokers, there is an increasing risk that the sale of illicit tobacco will undo the progress already made. Councils are a key player in supporting the Government’s ambition of eliminating smoking in England by 2030, through their tobacco control and other public health and support services, however it is vital this review provides certainty over long-term funding.”
Source: West Wales Chronicle, 21 May 2022
See also: Local Government Association - LGA: Illegal cigarettes risk widening health disparities during cost-of-living crisis
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A recent poll suggests a majority of Britons believe traditional cigarettes should be banned in favour of vaping and e-cigarettes.
The Techne UK poll for Express.co.uk found that 54% believe traditional cigarettes should be banned and more than 50% supported a ban across all age groups and economic categories. Around 1 in 3 people (30%) opposed such a ban, according to the poll figures.
Source: Express, 21 May 2022
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The Irish public is being asked by the country’s Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to stop using certain e-cigarettes from the Aroma King range of disposable electronic cigarettes which are non-compliant with EU tobacco legislation. They are also asking retailers to stop selling these products.
Despite its declared nicotine concentration on the packaging indicating the upper limit of permitted nicotine (20mg/ml), actual reported levels were reported to reach 50.4mg/ml.
The HSE has contacted all major Irish distributors of e-cigarettes and refill containers that they are aware of and are in the process of contacting known retailers of these products.
Source: Irish Independent, 18 May 2022
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Internal corporate governance documents reveal Tobacco giant Reynolds American, best known for brands such as Newport and Camel cigarettes, spent nearly $6 million among more than 800 state-level political candidates, political action committees, and ballot initiative committees during 2021.
Their broad attempts to influence lawmakers comes as the US Food and Drug Administration prepares to regulate or legislate against menthol in cigarettes and flavoured cigars. This lobbying data provides a glimpse into Big Tobacco’s tight grip on both state and federal government.
Reynolds American, in a posting on its website, explained its political donations are "consistent with the interests of their businesses" and guiding principles and beliefs.
Source: Yahoo, 21 May 2022
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