Council backs call for levy on tobacco industry
SMOKEFREE FUND CHAMPIONED BY CHARITY
COUNCILLORS have unanimously backed a campaign organised by Cancer Research UK to establish a Smokefree Fund to help reduce smoking.
A Smokefree Fund would be paid by the tobacco industry and would help fund tobacco control work.
Hinckley county councillor Michael Mullaney, pictured – the authority’s cancer champion – proposed a motion at County Hall.
He said: “I’m glad the whole council supported this motion which seeks to help with reducing smoking locally and nationally.
“While the number of people smoking has reduced over recent years there is still around one in seven people nationally and almost one in eight people here in Leicestershire who smokes.
“Tobacco smoking is still the biggest preventable cause of cancer and death in the country so it’s essential we continue to work to tackle the causes of cancer and the tragedy of early, preventable deaths from it.
“I, like everyone else, has sadly lost friends and family to cancer so tackling it is a cause close to my and everyone’s heart.
“Smoking adds to health inequalities, with significantly higher rates of smoking in more economically deprived areas.
“Half the difference in life expectancy between the least and highest income groups is due to smoking.
“A Smokefree Fund, a levy on the tobacco industry to pay for measures to help prevent people taking up smoking and to help people quit smoking, is key to helping reduce avoidable cancer deaths from smoking.
“A Smokefree Fund means the polluter, the tobacco industry, pays for the damage it causes to people’s health.
“Thanks to Councillor Louise Richardson for seconding the motion and to all councillors for supporting it.”