The Asthma and Allergy Foundation, Scotland’s only dedicated asthma charity has commended Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer for announcing new anti-smoking legislation as part of the King’s Speech on 17th July 2024. This transformative law will make it illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone born after 1st January 2009. It will also impose stricter regulations on youth vaping, including restrictions on flavours and packaging.
This legislation will have a particularly beneficial impact on individuals living with asthma and allergies. Cigarette smoke and vape fumes are major triggers for asthma attacks, which can be debilitating and even life-threatening. Poorly controlled asthma often leads to issues like fatigue, absenteeism from work and school, stress, anxiety, depression, and delays in growth or puberty in children.
By banning the sale of tobacco products to future generations, we hope to see a significant decline in smoking rates. This will greatly improve the health of these individuals and reduce the strain on our healthcare system. In 2023, 13% of UK adults, or 6.4 million people, reported being cigarette smokers according to the Office for National Statistics. Smoking remains the leading preventable cause of death in the UK, contributing to one hospital admission every minute due to smoking-related illnesses, at an annual cost of £2.6 billion to the NHS.
Professor Steve Turner, President of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, who is also an Independent Clinical Advisor at the Asthma and Allergy Foundation, has praised this legislation saying, “This is a major milestone towards realising the government’s ambition to raise the healthiest generation of children in our history. As we look to the future, we are optimistic that this new law will make a substantial difference in the lives of those living with asthma, allergies and other respiratory conditions”
Martina Chukwuma-Ezike, Chief Executive of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation also expressed her optimism for the future, “The introduction of this ban is expected to lead to a significant decrease in smoking rates among future generations. This will not only improve public health but also alleviate the immense pressure on our health services. The benefits for those living with asthma and allergies cannot be overstated, as fewer asthma attacks, reduced hospital admissions and a general improvement in respiratory health are anticipated.”
The Asthma and Allergy Foundation is committed to supporting the implementation of this vital legislation and continuing to advocate for measures that enhance respiratory health. The charity is optimistic that this law will significantly contribute to reducing smoking rates, leading to fewer asthma attacks, reduction in hospital admissions and better overall health outcomes for people with asthma and allergies.
