England cannot become smoke-free until 2039 as the progress in getting people to quit cigarettes has “slowed”, an anti-cancer charity has said.
The government in 2019 set a target for England to be smoke-free by 2030, meaning only 5 per cent of the population would smoke by then. But Cancer Research UK said it would take at least nine more years to achieve the objective.
It said a million people would contract cancer from cigarettes by 2040 unless the government took tougher action on smoking.
It has urged the government to do more, including raising the legal age for buying tobacco from 18, so that people who were born after a designated year could never buy cigarettes legally.
Data showed 13.3 per cent of the population - about 6.6 million - smoked in 2021, down from 14 per cent in 2020 and 20.2 per cent in 2011.
However, the charity said smoking rates should drop 70 per cent faster to reach the goal of being smoke-free by 2030.
Smoking could result in a million cancer cases between now and 2040 if the current trends continued, Cancer Research said.
Its chief clinician, Professor Charles Swanton, said: “Quitting smoking is one of the most popular new year’s resolutions, but people are rarely successful on their own — they need support and the right tools to help them quit. Despite this, budgets for stop-smoking services have been repeatedly cut, and access varies greatly across the country.”
“If the government is serious about a smoke-free England, action to create an environment that makes it easier for people to live healthy lives will be key. It must take on board the recommendations from the Khan review [which looked into whether the 2030 target was being met] and publish a plan to stop people from ever starting to smoke and help people quit,” he said.
Cancer Research UK chief executive Michelle Mitchell 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 and strong leadership, we can ensure a future free of tobacco for reducing cancer and saving lives.”
Raise legal age to buy tobacco to prevent million cancer cases, says UK charity
England cannot become smoke-free until 2039 claims Cancer Research UK
During the hearing, Clifford denied all the charges except for the rape charge, which was added to the indictment at the session. (Photo: Hertfordshire Police /Handout via REUTERS)
Man pleads not guilty to murder of BBC presenter's family
A 26-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to charges of murdering the wife and two daughters of BBC sports commentator John Hunt in a crossbow and knife attack.
Kyle Clifford, who also faces charges of rape, appeared via video link at Cambridge Crown Court on Thursday.
Clifford, arrested in July after a manhunt, is charged with three counts of murder, one count each of rape and false imprisonment, and two counts of possessing offensive weapons – a 10-inch knife and a crossbow.
During the hearing, Clifford denied all the charges except for the rape charge, which was added to the indictment at the session.
He is expected to enter a plea for that charge at a later date.
The victims were Carol Hunt, 61, wife of horseracing commentator John Hunt, and their daughters Louise, 25, and Hannah, 28.
An earlier hearing revealed that Louise had been found tied up and that both she and her sister had been shot with a crossbow, while their mother had been stabbed with a knife.
The fatal attack occurred at the family’s home in Bushey, a commuter town near Watford, northwest of London.
(With inputs from AFP)