Plan to cut smoking ‘losing momentum’
THE Welsh Government’s long-term plan to reduce smoking rates is “in danger of losing momentum” and not meeting its targets, a leading cancer charity has warned.
In September 2017, the government’s three-year Tobacco Control Delivery Plan called for just 16% of the Welsh population to be smokers by 2020.
But according to latest figures from the Public Health Wales Observatory, this key reduction target will not be reached until 2025.
Currently 19% of adults in Wales – or one in five – smoke cigarettes regularly.
In addition, the Welsh Government’s annual target to treat 5% of the smoking population through NHS stop smoking services is also being missed, with just 2.9% currently accessing the services.
Ahead of No Smoking Day on Wednesday, March 14, Tenovus Cancer Care prevention lead Maura Matthews has called for “urgent action” to reduce the numbers of people smoking in Wales.
She said: “The Welsh Government’s Tobacco Control Delivery Plan was only announced six months ago but is already in danger of losing its momentum.
“After 10 years of progress in reducing smoking rates with the ban on smoking in public places and restrictions on smoking in cars with children, the Welsh Government now needs to provide consistent smoking cessation services across Wales.
“A three-year plan was put in place but with no clear implementation strategy and unless something is done to up the ante Welsh Government will miss its own target of reducing the prevalence of smokers to 16% of the population by 2020.
“We are urging Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Services Vaughan Gething AM to provide clarity on how the Welsh Government’s three-year plan will be delivered.”
Tobacco is the leading single cause of premature death in Wales, causing approximately 5,450 deaths each year. It costs the NHS in Wales an estimated £302m annually.
In response, a Welsh Government spokesman said: “We are working with Public Health Wales and the Tobacco Control Strategic Board to accelerate current plans in order to meet our target by 2020.
“We have also provided an extra £200,000 to Public Health Wales to publicise the Help Me Quit smoking cessation services.”
Meanwhile, the British Lung Foundation has reiterated that pregnant women should give up the habit as soon as they find out they’re expecting.
New figures from NHS Digital show that 10% of women were known to be smokers at the time of delivery. And it is thought the statistic could be even higher in Wales.
Joseph Carter, head of the BLF in Wales, said: “Protecting your baby from tobacco smoke is one of the best things you can do to give your child a healthy start in life.
“Smoking when pregnant can stunt the growth of children’s’ lungs. So if you are pregnant, and have been thinking about quitting smoking, then get in touch with Help Me Quit Wales today.
“We recognise smoking is an addiction, but women are more motivated to quit when they know that they are pregnant and those who get professional help are most likely to succeed.
“We can’t afford to waste opportunities to help people to quit when it affects their lifetime health and that of their babies.”
For help to stop smoking, call Help me Quit on 0800 085 2219, go to www.helpmequit.wales or text HMQ to 80818.
Smokers who use NHS smoking cessation services are four times more likely to succeed than those making an unaided quit attempt.