4 minute read
Cover Story: Khan Review
by 55 North
England to miss smoke-free targets unless government acts
The Khan Review says the government must implement four “critical recommendations”, including the promotion of vaping.
The government’s Independent Review into Tobacco Control, otherwise known as the Khan Review, has warned that without further action England will miss its smoke-free targets by at least seven years and that the government must implement four “critical recommendations” including the promotion of vaping.
The government had tasked former Barnardo’s Chief Executive Javed Khan with carrying out a root and branch review of current tobacco control policies as part of its levelling-up agenda.
Key recommendations made in the Khan Review include:
● Introducing a New Zealand-style system that would see the age of sale raised from its current levelof 18 by one year, every year, sothat eventually no-one will be ableto buy tobacco;
● Introducing a tobacco licence forretailers to limit where tobacco isavailable;
● Dedicating an additional £125mper year of funding to localTrading Standards to boostenforcement;
● Raising the cost of tobacco dutiesby at least 30% across all tobaccoproducts;
● Offering vaping as a substitute forsmoking alongside informationon the benefits of switching.
Khan said: “A smoke-free society should be a social norm – but to achieve this, we must do more to stop people taking up smoking, help those who already smoke and support those who are disproportionately impacted by smoking. My holistic set of recommendations for government will deliver this, whilst saving lives, saving money, and addressing the health disparities associated with smoking.
“My proposals are not just a plan for this government, but successive governments too. To truly achieve a smoke-free society in our great country, we need to commit to making smoking obsolete, once and for all. It was a privilege to work on this review and get the opportunity to improve the health of people across the country, and I look forward to seeing the government’s response.”
The review has been welcomed by the UK Vaping Industry Association. Director General John Dunne said: “As an association, we couldn’t agree more with this report’s stark message for the government which is that, without immediate action, it will miss its smokefree targets by seven years.”
He added: “The fact that Mr Khan’s review recommends that vaping promotion should be one of the critical policies to eradicate smoking is a truly great day for vaping advocates and marks another huge step forward for the tobacco harm reduction movement.”
In addition, the Association of Convenience Stores has welcomed the proposals for more funding to tackle the illicit tobacco market.
ACS Chief Executive James Lowman said: “The proposals for licensing tobacco retailers need to be fleshed out, with clarity over what this measure would be trying to achieve. Licensing restrictions that stop new entrants from entering the market damage investment and the provision of all the products and services we sell. Ultimately, those who are selling tobacco illegally now without being caught would just continue to do so without seeking a licence.
He added: “The proposed additional funding for local authorities to enforce against those selling illicit tobacco products is welcome, and is something that we’ve highlighted as a necessary priority for government for a long time, but we need to see this implemented and we need more than £15m investment to close the £2.3bn tax gap caused by illegal tobacco sales. Unless we tackle the black market, the recommendations to further regulate the sale of tobacco through legitimate businesses will not be effective.”
The findings of the independentreview will be considered and aresponse published as part of thegovernment’s Health DisparitiesWhite Paper.
