Given its highly addictive nature, quitting smoking is no mean feat – which is why it is important to provide the necessary help and support to those who are looking to quit. It is for precisely this reason that the Government has stopped cigarette and tobacco adverts in all shops, thereby removing incitement. Recent statistics reflect positive results, revealing that smoking is at its lowest recorded level in the UK; not to mention, its prevalence amongst children aged 15 years old has fallen from 12 per cent in 2010 to 8 per cent in 2013.
Nonetheless, smoking remains one of our most significant public health challenges. It is a major cause of cancer, heart and respiratory disease and almost 80,000 people in England alone die every year from ill health caused by smoking. It places an enormous strain on the NHS and its resources.
With this in mind, the Government has already taken positive steps in addressing its approach towards tobacco, both to protect revenue and to promote public health. This includes the extension of the tobacco duty escalator, which will increase the tax on cigarettes by 2 percent above the Retail Prices Index.
Local authorities, funded by the Government's Public Health grant, are responsible for providing a programme of tobacco control, including Stop Smoking Services. Evidence shows that such specialist services are the most effective way to help smokers quit. I am pleased that over the next five years, this grant will allocate £16 billion to local authorities. Public Health England is committed to supporting local authorities develop effective regional approaches to tobacco control which maximise value for money. I hope that the benefits of these measures will soon be clear for all to see.