The report commissioned by Britain’s previous government of Boris Johnson from charity executive Javid Khan to analyse public health disparities and by extension the further fight against smoking had as one of its recommendations the raising of the purchasing age of tobacco by one year each year until no one is allowed to buy tobacco or smoke.
The report has been precariously shelved by the next current government of Liz Truss who is close friends with the health minister and Deputy Prime Minister Theresa Coffey who smokes and does fair business with the tobacco industry and who intends instead to raise the age limit for tobacco purchasing from 18 years where it was from 16 after the smoking ban was introduced during October 2007 to 21 years announcing more information on plans by the end of the year.
According to The Guardian newspaper, “Coffey, who is also the Deputy Prime Minister, smokes and has in the past received hospitality from the tobacco industry. Since becoming an MP in 2010 she has voted in the House of Commons against a number of measures to curb smoking, including a ban on smoking in enclosed public spaces, a ban on smoking in cars carrying underaged children and teenagers and forcing cigarettes to be sold in plain packets. Liz Truss, the prime minister – a close friend of Coffey’s – is also a long-term smoke control sceptic, often opposing counter-smoking legislation. She has also appointed ex-tobacco lobbyists as part of her Downing Street advisory team.”
According to the local newspaper of Liverpool, where the annual conference of the main opposition Labour party was held this year, which is gaining ground due to the economic crisis and the current government’s attempt to deal with it, showing an intention to vote at 54% against the 25% that has the ruling Conservative party, Liverpool Echo, states that “To be ‘smoke-free’ does not specifically mean that no one in the UK will be able to smoke, but rather it would involve reducing the number of smokers below 5%. Different methods for this, including raising the minimum age for buying cigarettes, were expected to be included in the announcement.” on measures likely to be announced by Health Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Theresa Coffey, which may include a ban on smoking in limited outdoor places, greater and easier access to electronic nicotine products and raising the age limit for purchasing tobacco to age 21 years.
Bring Back Smoking Freedom 