Tobacco

Policy and progress

We are calling on the government to make the UK tobacco free by 2035, but there remains some way to go.

One in five adults still smokes, and it continues to be the leading cause of preventable death and hospital admissions.

Nonetheless, recent gains have been made, with bans on cigarette vending machines and laws against smoking in public places.

Introduce standardised packaging for all tobacco products
Introduce minimum pricing
Strengthen nicotine regulation in the UK
Initiate a positive licensing scheme to reduce the number of tobacco outlets
Continue to reduce tobacco marketing opportunities
Limit pro-smoking imagery in entertainment media
Support smokers to quit by provided adequately funded, targeted smoking cessation services

April 2013: Tobacco displays in large stores and cigarette vending machines banned in Scotland
March 2013: Scotland sets out a five year action plan to tackle smoking, including many BMA-backed measures
April 2012: UK-wide consultation on the use of plain packaging for tobacco products
April 2012: Tobacco displays in large stores banned in England
March 2012: Cigarette vending machines banned in Northern Ireland
February 2012: Cigarette vending machines banned in Wales
October 2011: Cigarette vending machines banned in England

The ban on smoking in public places took place in Scotland in 2006 and in England, Wales and Northern Ireland in 2007.

Steps are also being taken across the four UK nations to curtail tobacco displays and remove advertising from packaging.

In 2010, the Department of health launched a new tobacco control strategy, aiming to halve the number of UK smokers by 2020.

Earlier this year, we welcomed the Government's UK-wide consultation on whether to introduce standardised tobacco packaging.

Despite the consultation coming to a close, it is crucial that efforts to support these proposals continue.

Doctors see the effects of poor diet, smoking and alcohol abuse every day in clinics, emergency departments and on hospital wards.

Read our position statement:

Read our news coverage on smoking