Our policy on tobacco control

ne_smokefreeimage Tobacco is the leading preventable cause of cancer worldwide. One in two long-term smokers will die from smoking - half of them in middle age.

Cancer Research UK wants to prevent more people developing and dying from cancer. Tobacco use causes over a quarter of all cancer deaths in the UK and nine in ten cases of lung cancer, the most common cause of cancer death. It also increases the risk of developing over a dozen other cancers.

Achieving a tobacco-free society would reap vast health benefits. We are proud to have played a major role alongside partner organisations in 2006/2007 in securing the successful introduction of smokefree legislation in almost all enclosed workplaces and public places across the UK. Early studies show that this has dramatically reduced workers’ exposure to the harmful effects of second-hand smoke. Some health gains are already being recorded, though it will take some years before the full health benefits of smokefree laws are realised.

In 2009 Cancer Research UK and its partner organisations successfully campaigned for a ban on tobacco displays in shops and the prohibition of tobacco vending machines. The measures are vital to protect children from tobacco marketing and to prevent children from easily accessing tobacco products. The measures were enshrined into law in England, Wales and Northern Ireland in November 2009 via the Health Act 2009.

We hope that these and similar measures in Scotland via the Tobacco and Primary Medical Services Bill will soon be implemented.

In order to build on this success, Cancer Research UK is now calling upon the UK governments to implement and fund comprehensive tobacco control measures across the four nations.

In England, Cancer Research UK urges the Government to:

Ensure the real price of tobacco remains high by increasing taxation and tackling smuggling.
Make further efforts to reduce secondhand smoke exposure, particularly to young people.
Take immediate action to protect children from tobacco marketing, including removing tobacco products and marketing from sight at the point of sale, removing vending machines, ensuring that advertising of tobacco accessories is not used to encourage tobacco use and support further research into possible links between tobacco packaging and smoking behaviours.
Maximise the use and uptake of the most effective smoking cessation methods, by maintaining local NHS stop smoking services and continuing the mass media campaigns that support smokers choosing to quit.
Provide leadership in international and EU matters that affect tobacco supply and demand in the UK.

Cancer Research UK urges the respective Governments of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to also develop updated comprehensive strategies for tobacco control.

For further information on Cancer Research UK's calls in this area please read our response to the Department of Health's consultation on the future of tobacco control.