9 March 2011
Today the Government has published Health Lives, Health People, ‘A Tobacco Control Plan’ which sets out the key actions the Government will take to support efforts to reduce tobacco use over the next five years. Some of the commitments include; implementing legislation to end tobacco displays in shops and encouraging more smokers to quit by using the most effective forms of support, through local stop smoking services.
In response to the Government’s new Tobacco Control Plan, Dame Helena Shovelton, Chief Executive, the British Lung Foundation said:
“Putting tobacco out of sight in shops will go a long way to ensuring that young people are not tempted to start smoking in the first place.
“We are pleased that the Government has recognised the need to tackle smoking around kids in the car but given the numbers of children who are exposed to smoke in this way, raising awareness will not solve this problem on its own.
“British Lung Foundation research shows that over half of children are exposed to cigarette smoke whilst confined in the car and almost 9 out of 10 children want action from the Government [i]. The Government cannot afford to ignore their plea for protection”.
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Notes to Editor:
- For further press enquiries, please contact Katherine Huntly 0207 688 5588/ or Katherine Lee on 0207 688 5563 or
- Around 4 million people in the UK continue to smoke near children [ii]
- Medical evidence shows that smoking near children can cause a range of respiratory illness, such as bronchitis and pneumonia and increases their risk of getting cancer as adults. Over 300,000 children in the UK present passive smoking related illnesses to their GP every year [iii]
- The British Lung Foundation is fighting to help the eight million people in the UK with lung disease. The charity provides support and information to improve the every day lives of people with lung disease. We are also campaigning for better diagnosis, treatment and prevention for now and the future.
- To find out about the help we provide see this website or telephone the helpline 08458 50 50 20
[i] The BLF surveyed over 1,000 kids aged 8-15 through TNS between 20th - 27th January. The survey was completed online through a Kids Bus service.
[ii] ASH Research Report, Secondhand smoke: The Impact on Children, 2006
[iii] Royal College of Physicians. Passive Smoking and Children. March 2010
