"Smoke-Free England" by 2030: A Mission We Can't Afford to Miss

At Riot Rehab, we're on a mission to change the status quo of smoking cessation and help people break free from the harmful grip of nicotine. And when we heard the news that England's goal to become "smoke-free" by 2030 might be missed by nearly a decade, our hearts sank.

According to Cancer Research UK, progress in reducing the number of smokers has "slowed," and based on current trends, the government will not achieve its goal until 2039. The charity added that in 2030, 8.3% of the population will still describe themselves as smokers. This is unacceptable.

We believe in the power of bold action and strong leadership to create a future free of tobacco, reduce cancer rates, save lives, and relieve pressure on the NHS. That's why we're joining Cancer Research UK in calling on Health Secretary Steve Barclay to do more to curb smoking rates.

The charity has recommended that the government consider raising the age at which people can buy cigarettes and invest more in stop-smoking services. If the government cannot afford this, it should make the tobacco industry "foot the bill." Additionally, Cancer Research UK has called for the government to respond to the Khan review, published in June, on making smoking obsolete.

At Riot Rehab, we know that quitting smoking is one of the most popular New Year's resolutions. But people are rarely successful on their own - they need support and the right tools to help them quit. Unfortunately, budgets for stop-smoking services have been repeatedly cut, and access varies greatly across the country. This needs to change.

We urge Steve Barclay to continue his legacy of being bold with tobacco control and take the necessary steps to reduce the number of people getting and dying from smoking-related cancers. It's time to make England "smoke-free" by 2030 a reality and pave the way for a healthier, happier future.

Let's do this.