The tobacco industry launched legal threats and lobbied politicians to derail the UK's proposed smoking ban aimed at creating a "smoke-free" generation.
Matthew Chapman reports for The Examination in partnership with The Guardian.
In short:
- Tobacco companies threatened legal action and courted MPs to oppose proposed legislation that would have incrementally raised the legal smoking age to phase out tobacco sales.
- The strategy included legal threats, political lobbyists and support to industry-funded think tanks and campaign groups arguing against the ban in the media.
- The bill was shelved due to an unexpected general election announcement.
Key quote:
The industry’s activities "undermine democracy because transnational corporates can draw on huge budgets to drown out genuine health and community voices — distorting public debate and undermining regulations that aim to protect people’s health.”
— Sheila Duffy, chief executive at anti-smoking group ASH Scotland.
Why this matters:
The generational smoking ban would have made the UK the first country in the world to successfully ban tobacco, and would have drastically reduce smoking-related deaths and healthcare costs in the UK. Health advocates note the overwhelming evidence linking smoking to lung cancer, heart disease, and other serious health issues, emphasizing the potential for significant healthcare savings and improved public health outcomes.
