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| Version 5 | Version 6 |
|---|---|
| Plan to halve smokers in 10 years | Plan to halve smokers in 10 years |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| A plan to halve the number of smokers in England over the next 10 years has been unveiled by ministers. | A plan to halve the number of smokers in England over the next 10 years has been unveiled by ministers. |
| The number of people smoking has fallen by a quarter in the past decade to 21%, and the proposed target is 10% by 2020. | The number of people smoking has fallen by a quarter in the past decade to 21%, and the proposed target is 10% by 2020. |
| Measures being considered include removing branding from packets and banning cigarette vending machines, as will happen in Scotland next year. | Measures being considered include removing branding from packets and banning cigarette vending machines, as will happen in Scotland next year. |
| Smokers' lobby group Forest criticised the proposals for eroding people's ability to make lifestyle choices. | Smokers' lobby group Forest criticised the proposals for eroding people's ability to make lifestyle choices. |
| Health charity Ash said that while it supported the plans in principle, there was a need for more detail and stronger pledges. | Health charity Ash said that while it supported the plans in principle, there was a need for more detail and stronger pledges. |
| The government strategy includes a commitment to try to stop young people taking up smoking by cracking down on illegally imported cheap cigarettes. | The government strategy includes a commitment to try to stop young people taking up smoking by cracking down on illegally imported cheap cigarettes. |
| Every smoker will be able to get help from the NHS to suit them if they want to give up. | Every smoker will be able to get help from the NHS to suit them if they want to give up. |
| One day, in the not too distant future, we'll look back and find it hard to remember why anyone ever smoked in the first place Andy Burnham Health Secretary class="" href="/2/hi/uk_news/8491251.stm">Read your comments | |
| And there will be a review of smoking legislation, which could see public bans extended to places such as the entrances of buildings. | And there will be a review of smoking legislation, which could see public bans extended to places such as the entrances of buildings. |
| Health Secretary Andy Burnham said: "We've come so far and now we'll go even further, to push forward and save even more lives. | Health Secretary Andy Burnham said: "We've come so far and now we'll go even further, to push forward and save even more lives. |
| "This strategy renews our commitment to virtually eradicate the health harms caused by smoking, and I firmly believe we can halve smoking by 2020. In 10 years' time, only one-in-10 people will smoke." | "This strategy renews our commitment to virtually eradicate the health harms caused by smoking, and I firmly believe we can halve smoking by 2020. In 10 years' time, only one-in-10 people will smoke." |
| He added: "We will always help people to quit, and smokers should never stop trying. That's the beauty of the NHS - it's there to help everyone. | He added: "We will always help people to quit, and smokers should never stop trying. That's the beauty of the NHS - it's there to help everyone. |
| "One day, in the not too distant future, we'll look back and find it hard to remember why anyone ever smoked in the first place." | "One day, in the not too distant future, we'll look back and find it hard to remember why anyone ever smoked in the first place." |
| 'Devastating impact' | 'Devastating impact' |
| The government said each year smoking caused 80,000 deaths and cost the NHS £2.7bn. | The government said each year smoking caused 80,000 deaths and cost the NHS £2.7bn. |
| Chief Medical Officer Sir Liam Donaldson said the strategy would "discourage children from taking up smoking and prevent a great number of unnecessary and early deaths". | Chief Medical Officer Sir Liam Donaldson said the strategy would "discourage children from taking up smoking and prevent a great number of unnecessary and early deaths". |
| The smoking ban in enclosed public places was introduced in Scotland in 2006, and in England, Wales and Northern Ireland separately in 2007. | The smoking ban in enclosed public places was introduced in Scotland in 2006, and in England, Wales and Northern Ireland separately in 2007. |
| Forest said the ban had had a "devastating impact" on community pubs and further restrictions would accelerate that trend. | Forest said the ban had had a "devastating impact" on community pubs and further restrictions would accelerate that trend. |
| Simon Clark, director of the lobby group, said adults should be allowed to make an "informed choice". | Simon Clark, director of the lobby group, said adults should be allowed to make an "informed choice". |
| He said: "When the government starts setting targets it is rather dangerous because the only way they can reach targets is to introduce very illiberal, very draconian legislation. | He said: "When the government starts setting targets it is rather dangerous because the only way they can reach targets is to introduce very illiberal, very draconian legislation. |
| "What we are seeing is a campaign of de-normalisation - I think it is creating a very intolerant, very divisive society." | "What we are seeing is a campaign of de-normalisation - I think it is creating a very intolerant, very divisive society." |
| Professor Alan Maryon-Davis, president of the UK Faculty of Public Health, said: "It's good the government intends to keep up the pressure on smoking, the biggest single cause of ill-health and inequalities in health. | Professor Alan Maryon-Davis, president of the UK Faculty of Public Health, said: "It's good the government intends to keep up the pressure on smoking, the biggest single cause of ill-health and inequalities in health. |
| "But we do need to see these good intentions backed up by sustained investment in effective strategies." | "But we do need to see these good intentions backed up by sustained investment in effective strategies." |