Thérèse Coffey questioned on ‘smoke free policy’

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Cancer Research UK claims the Government will not meet its target of a “smoke-free” England by 2030.

Analysis by the charity suggests another nine years is needed to ­persuade enough people to kick the habit to reach that goal.

Chief executive Michelle Mitchell urged Health Secretary Steve Barclay to consider raising the minimum age for buying cigarettes and tobacco which stands at 18.

She said: “Smoking remains the largest preventable cause of cancer and death in the UK, but the Government has the power to change this. With bold action we can ensure a future free of tobacco for reducing cancer and ­saving lives. We urge Steve Barclay to continue his ­legacy of being bold with tobacco control to reduce the number of ­people getting and dying of ­smoking-related cancers.”

Under a plan unveiled three years ago, ministers wanted England to achieve “smoke-free” status – defined as adult rates of five percent or less.

But the Cancer Research analysis puts the proportion describing themselves as smokers at 8.3 percent.

The group adds that although fewer people are lighting up, the rate of decline in the habit has decreased.

Smoking rates among adults must come down 70 percent faster or about one million people could ­contract cancer between now and 2040. Cancer Research wants extra funding for services and initiatives which help smokers quit.

Mr Barclay has a history of voting in favour of tobacco control – ­including the 2015 ban on puffing in cars when a child is present.

Research suggests smoking causes about 500,000 hospital admissions yearly and costs the economy ­£17billion each year.

Professor Charles Swanton, chief clinician of Cancer Research UK, added: “Quitting smoking is one of the most popular New Year’s resolutions.

“Despite this, budgets for ­stop-smoking services have been repeatedly cut and access varies greatly across the country.”

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