New warnings could be put in cigarette packs to encourage smokers to quit | UK News

Cigarette packs could soon feature more messages to try and encourage people to quit smoking.

Packets already have warnings and graphic photographs printed on the outside – but now the government could follow in Canada and Israel’s footsteps by adding inserts.

They would list health and financial benefits of giving up cigarettes, and would direct people to advice and support services.

A consultation into the plans by the Department of Health launched today and will run until October.

An evaluation of the project in Canada found people who saw the inserts multiple times were significantly more likely to try and give up smoking.

Examples found in Canadian cigarette packs include messages like ‘Never quit trying to quit’ and ‘you’ve got what it takes to go smoke-free’.

It’s hoped inserts could lead to 30,000 more people giving up the habit, which could save the NHS £1.6 billion.

Deborah Arnott, chief executive of Action on Smoking and Health, said pack inserts would help the government reach its target to get smoking rates across the nation below 5%.

She said: ‘They will help deliver not just the Smokefree 2030 ambition, but also the Major Conditions Strategy, as smoking is responsible for all six major conditions from cancer to cardiovascular and respiratory disease, as well as dementia, mental ill health and musculoskeletal disorders.’

Health Secretary Steve Barclay said: ‘Smoking places a huge burden on the NHS, economy and individuals.

‘It directly causes a whole host of health problems – including cancers and cardiovascular disease – and costs the economy billions every year in lost productivity.

‘By taking action to reduce smoking rates and pursuing our ambition to be smoke free by 2030, we will reduce the pressure on the NHS and help people to live healthier lives.’

The government has also published an initial report on its Major Conditions Strategy, which covers the six groups of conditions accounting for 60% of all ill-health and early death in England.

One in four people in England live with two or more major long-term conditions.

The Government has promised its initial report will set out the direction for the strategy to tackle these groups, including by addressing lifestyle factors like smoking.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.