Following the news that the Government is considering tougher rules on outdoor smoking, our chief executive, Paula Chadwick, shares the charity’s response:
“Having originally campaigned for the smoking ban in public places in 2007, we welcome any steps forward that help people stop smoking and vaping.
“These proposed restrictions could be the push people need to cut back or quit for good, as well as reduce the exposure of second-hand smoke to others.
“Whilst you do not need to smoke to get lung cancer, smoking remains the biggest cause of lung cancer – as well as other forms of the disease. Over 48,500 people are diagnosed with lung cancer every year in the UK and around 70% of lung cancers are because of smoking so it is very important that the government takes steps to tackle this.
“It’s equally important that we tackle vaping in public too. We don’t know the long-term effect of vaping. What we do know is that a frightening number of children are taking up the habit. It’s becoming far too common a sight and we need to confront this.
We understand why people think such restrictions are ‘over the top’ or harsh. We faced similar reaction when we campaigned for the original smoking ban in public places but, just like the original ban, a move such as an outdoor ban would likely have a positive effect. It could help people cut back on the amount they smoke which could help them quit completely.
“It can also reduce people’s exposure to second hand smoke. Many will remember this was the case of Roy Castle. Roy’s lung cancer was caused by passive smoking from playing his trumpet in smoky jazz clubs so these steps could improve everyone’s health.
“Anything we can do to help people to quit and reduce their exposure to cigarette smoke and vapes will help curb preventable deaths. At the moment around 79% of lung cancer cases are preventable and a lot of that is down to smoking so a ban like this could play a part in saving a lot of lives.
“That said, it will not work alone. If the government’s smokefree ambitions are to be realised, there must be adequate reinvestment in smoking cessation services to reverse the drastic cuts made to these services over the last decade.
“Smoking is highly addictive – its deliberately designed to be highly addictive – so it is a very difficult habit to break – even with all the known health and financial benefits. It is unfair to expect people to quit unaided. You can’t move the goalposts without having support in place, so we urge the government to invest in smoking cessation support so those wanting to quit won’t be forced to face this challenge alone.”
For anyone looking to quit, Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation is running its Smoke Free for September challenge, with an online support group of over 6000 all looking to cut down or quit smoking or vaping this September.
