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Smoking is known to be the principal avoidable cause of premature deaths in the UK. That is why the Government White Paper Choosing Health: Making healthier choices easier, (building on the 1998 White Paper Smoking Kills), promises new action to tackle tobacco and reduce the 106,000 deaths in the UK caused by smoking every year (86,500 in England).
The Department's tobacco programme is split into six 'strands', which each contribute to the overall reduction in smoking . Since 1998 adult smoking rates in England have fallen from 28% to 25% in 2004. That is 1.2 million fewer smokers. You can find out information on each strand by using the links below.
Secondhand smoke (also known as 'environmental tobacco smoke' (ETS) or 'passive smoking') is a mixture of side stream smoke from the burning tip of a cigarette, and mainstream smoke exhaled by a smoker. Secondhand smoke kills, and scientific evidence shows that there is no safe level of exposure.
A key strand of the Government's tobacco control programme is the provision of an ongoing media/education campaign. These campaigns are now the number one reason smokers in the UK decide to try and quit.
Price increases have been a highly successful way of helping people become non-smokers: UK budget changes to tobacco duty have saved lives and prevented much serious illness
The Government has set up a comprehensive NHS Stop Smoking Service. Services are now available across the NHS in England, providing counselling and support to smokers wanting to quit, complementing the use of stop smoking aids Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) and bupropion (Zyban).
Strong evidence exists linking the prohibition of tobacco advertising with a decrease in smoking levels. That is why the UK has a comprehensive ban - just like many other countries in Europe and beyond. It is estimated that in the long term, the UK advertising ban will lead to a 2.5% decrease in smoking levels.
This strand of the Government's tobacco control programme concerns regulating the contents of tobacco products and the labelling of packaging. The relevant legislation is the Tobacco Products (Manufacture, Presentation and Sale) (Safety) Regulations 2002. These regulations were required for the UK to comply with a 2001 European Directive on tobacco products and labelling.
Information on European and WHO initiatives to reduce tobacco consumption.
The Government recognises that helping pregnant women give up smoking leads to health benefits for themselves and their unborn children. Since the beginning of the NHS Stop Smoking Services in 1999, local Services have had a particular focus on helping pregnant women who smoke to give up.
Key DH-published tobacco policy documents and press releases.
Take a look at the recent TV adverts that highlight the impact smoking related diseases can have on families.
Statistics on the use and misuse of alcohol, on smoking including smoking cessation services, and on drug use, misuse and treatment.
