Government says England will be smokefree by 2030. But how will it get there?

The best treatise and concise manual on how to stop smoking is Alan Carr’s ‘The Easy Way to Stop smoking’. Although it is a slight misnomer to call it the ‘easy’, ( it should be called the ‘easiest’ way), it looks at all aspects concerning the habit, the pitfalls to look out for, and leads the reader to a climax whereby you stop and never want to smoke again. Basically, he gets you back to where you were before the first cigarette. He also clearly shows that one is not really enjoying a cigarette, but rather one is rationalising to justify what is essentially an addiction. I feel indebted to him for the book which led me to one of the most important decisions of my life. One thing I would say though, it’s best to read the book with a prior desire to quit.Finally, it should be made publically known that the tobacco industries have perpitrated the biggest lie ever known.

Phase out packs of 20 and sell only 10 and possibly 5 per pack.

What about adverts targeted at the young that emphasises that getting cancer is not cool and making a very clear link between smoking, cancer and death.

A smoke free country would be great. What about reducing how many cigarettes are in a pack to start, then only selling one pack at a time like paracetamol for example. Until you can only buy a pack of 10 or even 5 in any one transaction. It’s easy for me to say though as I’m not addicted to smoking (I’m not a smoker) but I am obese. I live on roughly 1300 calories most days and when you see what that is you’d know that’s not excessive. I do reduce this some days but can’t seem to lose any weight so I know it’s not easy to do and I for one would not want to be discriminated against because of my weight. I’ve worked all my adult life, paying tax and NI and I’ve been lucky enough not to have to claim any benefits but who knows what tomorrow may bring. We are so lucky in this country to have the NHS. What we could do without is people wasting Doctors time with colds and sore throats and calling ambulances for anything other than a life threatening medical problem that they need to get to hospital quickly for and not something they could get a taxi to the hospital for or wait to see their GP.

I have thought for many years that a smoke free country would be really good. I hate smelling smoke Frome those who do smoke. I even cross to the other side of the road to avoid it.

I think smoking has become less acceptable but it’s still getting support in work places with smoking areas and smoke breaks. Hospital grounds a day all public places should an smoking. Parents smore outside my daughter’s school. People smoke outside the main entrance to my hospital, others walk along the street shamelessly smoking. It should be banned everywhere that is public and retailers should stop selling tobacco and cigarettes. We.need a complete unashamedly proactive approach in telling people of any age that smoking is unacceptable. So man up and give up!!!!

I read it further down the comments but why not just stop selling tobacco products? I have never smoked so don’t know but is going cold turkey from tobacco so bad? If people insist on causing damage to their bodies (whether it be food, tobacco, drugs or alcohol) despite all the information maybe they should have to pay for treatment?? But I mean actually pay what it costs the NHS to fix them not a token donation. I know a statement like that always gets the response “what about people who take part in dangerous sports or just driving a car?” But those are calculated risks in comparison to smoking or obesity surely?

Smoking should be banned in outdoor areas of pubs and cafes. We cannot enjoy sitting in sunshine enjoying a coffee or drink without being surrounded by smokers. The indoor policy should be extended to outside eating and drinking premises for all to enjoy.

Why not just stop producing and selling cigarettes. People will have little choice but to give up. Goverment wont do that though because they are making masses of money in revenue. But if they did Then there wont be all the trouble of people failing to quit, they would have to. And that is
Coming from myself who smokes.

Smoking needs to be stopped and folks need help to quit, to save them from Cancer, and to help the non-smokers from breathing in their pollution. My father died from cancer through smoking at the age of 52! Obesity is a problem as folks are not getting enough exercise and junk food is everywhere!

Bring in on the spot fines for people smoking on hospital premises & follow it through.
Refuse to treat patients who refuse to stop smoking.
Double the price of cigarettes & halve the price of nicotine replacement products & vaping etc.

An excellent article, and one with my whole hearted support! One of the best actions any government took, was to ban smoking in public places, in particular pubs and restaurants!! I remember all the negativity surrounding that, “it won’t work.” Well it has, splendidly!! And the idea of placing an advice slip on giving up, in every packet is brilliant. Giving people, especially youngsters, time to reflect on the issue in their own privacy and time. The fact that Canada is the lead on this doesn’t surprise me, with their innovation and liberalism. Credit to them, and great if we follow their need!

AS an ex-smoker,now free for some 30 years,but with a wife who will not stop,I hate the smell.She is obstinate,knows it is wrong,but will not stop.
Double the price of tobacco,then double it again.Make them aware they will have pay to see a doctor each and every time they need help?
Or just leave them to die early with no help??

Sugar is not the problem with obesity it’s a lack of proper exercise. The sugar tax is the nanny state at its worst and the only thing it will be effective at is increasing a persons intake of artificial chemical sweeteners which might cause cancers. Are you proposing a sugar tax on apples? They contain sugar. It is just plain wrong to point out sugar as the problem the problem is eating to much combined with not enough physical exercise. Judging on all the overweight people there are it does not look like the the sugar tax is working. Hopefully the Government will abolish this crazy tax.

Tobacco in various forms/uses has been with us for centuries. With the considerable reduction in smoking over the last few decades , it is clear that much money and effort has gone into bringing about this change. I don’t think,given the powerful vested interests in the smoking habit, it will be realistic to set the date/total ban target- remember the sauerkraut legend. Being human, we may wellcome back smoking big-time, or worse still, drugs will be seen as a ‘healthier’, more acceptable habit.Fag-ash out of the car window is unpleasant but ‘stoned’ driving is a nightmare scenario. Monitor the situation carefully -‘make haste slowly’ as someone once said.Smoking eventually killed my father, so rest assured I’m on your side!

Both second hand smoke and second hand vapour or aerosol as its proper term cause me to get asthma attacks, last time resulted in being at hospital half the night. Both need restricting in public places for a start, as in USA both are banned for several feet outside shops, etc., and some cities have areas in the centres that are smoke and vape free, why can UK not do the same?

Basically a good idea however it is going too be hard to get it implicated, you can always tell a smoker in a crowd, the smell of nicotine just does go away! Also vapping s not nice either, and they haven’t been around long enough for research to give a firm results as too whether they could potentially caused lung damage or other health issues including people being in the same room where vap smoking is taking place! I have never been a smoker so I’m not going one those preaching on my high horse, just concerned about smokers and effect it could have on people in public places, streets, parks etc! They need to include Vaps too! Nothing like enjoying a walk along the hush to be choked by viper smoke release!

I think it’s a good idea but who will police it? At the moment we can’t stop people who drink, take drugs and driving on mobile phones as we have not got personal to deal with it.

As a palliative care nurse I think the idea of including quitting advice in cigarette packets is a great idea to reach the tobacco smokers at source. Informing and educating is the way forward!