According to Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), a total smoking ban in the UK could add £10bn to the economy and create 135,000 jobs a year.
Key points:
1. The total smoking ban is estimated to add £10 billion a year to the UK economy and create 135,000 jobs.
2. The Tobacco and vape Act will gradually raise the tobacco purchase age, ban vape advertising, and protect future generations from the dangers of smoking.
3. Health groups and the public health secretary support the smoking ban, but smokers’ groups fear it will drive tobacco sales to criminal gangs.
Report by Action on Smoking and Health UK:
According to the Mirror report on March 26, experts said that a total smoking ban would give a big boost to the UK economy, bringing about 10 billion pounds of added value every year. An estimated 135,000 jobs would be needed in the UK once smoking was stopped, a report says.
This conclusion is based on the assumption that smokers divert money to other goods and services. Since tobacco production in the UK is almost non-existent and very few jobs depend on the tobacco industry, this economic growth forecast has been hotly debated. The report, on behalf of the authors Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), states that when people buy something other than tobacco, it stimulates economic growth more than continuing to buy tobacco.
Smoking ban may push economic growth, expected to create 135,000 jobs
The report suggests that the consumption shift could create the equivalent of 135,000 full-time jobs and boost UK annual economic output by almost £10bn.
According to the report’s author, Howard Reed,
- “Reducing smoking is not generally seen as a direct impact of a country’s growth strategy, but analysis shows that such a move could have significant social benefits in addition to improved health.”
The report comes as the Tobacco and vape Bill enters its final stage of parliamentary consideration. If the bill becomes law, people born after January 1, 2009, will be banned from smoking because the tobacco purchase age will be gradually raised. In addition, the bill will also ban vape advertising and sponsorship, including places where children and young people can easily see, such as buses, movie theaters and shop Windows, making them compliant with tobacco restrictions.
Sarah Sleet, chief executive of Asthma and Lung UK, said:
- “The passage of the Tobacco and vape Bill in the House of Commons is an important step in our journey towards a smoke-free future. This is the most important health change in decades, protecting future generations from deadly addiction.”
Dr Ian Walker, director of executive policy and information at Cancer Research UK, said:
- “Now is the time to take action against Britain’s number one killer. To support the Tobacco and vape Act is to support the health of the nation. I urge all lawmakers to get on the right side of history.”
Public Health Minister Ashley Dalton said,
- “Going smoke-free is not only a public health priority, but also a major economic opportunity. Smoking costs the UK more than £21 billion a year, including £18 billion in lost productivity. Our Tobacco and vape Act will phase out the sale of tobacco products and lead us toward a smoke-free nation.”
A survey by the smokers’ group Forest showed 39% were in favor of banning smoking and 36% were in favor of keeping the legal age of sale at 18.
Simon Clark, director of Forest, commented,
- “Phasing out smoking will not stop young people from smoking, it will only drive tobacco sales to criminal gangs.”
