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Join host Doctor Xand van Tulleken for Season 4, Episode 6 of Public Health Disrupted.
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"Politicians have to get braver about having these debates with the public about why these measures are needed. The story of the smoking policy is that as you regulate, as you show bravery, as you have the debate, the population will come with you. "
The World Health Organisation highlights the tobacco epidemic as one of the greatest public health crises in history, claiming over 8 million lives annually. Over 7 million of these deaths stem from direct tobacco use, while around 1.3 million are due to second-hand smoke exposure among non-smokers. The scale of the human and economic tragedy that tobacco imposes is shocking, and preventable.
In this month’s episode, our experts Professor Jamie Brown and Hazel Cheeseman discuss the increasing political and public support for a smoke-free generation, proposed legislative changes, and their potential impact on smoking rates and improving the health of the public in the UK.
Jamie discusses the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which aims to make it illegal to sell tobacco to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009. He highlights the bill's significance in public health and the need for balanced regulation to control youth vaping while helping adults quit smoking. Hazel emphasises the disruptive potential of the legislation, the importance of public debate, and the challenges posed by the tobacco industry's opposition and illicit sales.
This episode offers valuable insights into the future of tobacco control in the UK for policymakers, public health professionals, and the public.
Public Health Disrupted with Rochelle Burgess and Xand Van Tulleken produced by Buckers at Decibelle Creative / @decibelle_creative
GUESTS
Prof Jame Brown (Director of the UCL Tobacco and Alcohol Research Group) is passionate about smoking cessation research underpinned by behavioural science. He co-leads a CRUK programme of research to i) provide insights into population-wide influences on smoking, smoking cessation and alcohol reduction principally by management and analysis of the major population surveys, the Smoking and Alcohol Toolkit Study, and ii) advance the scientific foundation, and further the development of, potentially wide-reach digital behaviour change technologies (latest trends on cigarette smoking, drinking and data request forms at www.smokinginengland.info and www.alcoholinengland.info). In over 300 articles on a variety of topics, a particular focus has been on real-world monitoring and evaluation of national tobacco control and alcohol policies, events and stop smoking treatments including e-cigarettes and nicotine replacement therapy. He is a co-author of Theory of Addiction (second edition) and ABC of Behaviour Change Theories, co-Regional Editor at the journal Addiction and an Editor of the Cochrane Tobacco Addiction Group.
Hazel Cheeseman will take up the role of Chief Executive of Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) From 1 October 2024. Hazel has worked across health and social care policy in the UK and abroad. She currently manages ASH’s policy development work. With a background in health and housing policy, Hazel has particular expertise in local government and the delivery of policy at a local level. Hazel also co-ordinates two coalitions dedicated to addressing the health inequalities caused by smoking; The Smoking in Pregnancy Challenge Group and the Mental Health and Smoking Partnership.