Smoking is a major public health issue that requires action, and the evidence is clear. Despite efforts by tobacco companies to hide the truth, no one with scientific credibility has disputed the link between smoking and cancer, which was established as far back as 1950 by Oxford epidemiologist Richard Doll. In fact, statistics show that two out of three people who continue to smoke will die prematurely, and smoking is responsible for nine out of 10 cases of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
The financial burden on an already strained National Health Service due to smoking-related illnesses amounts to billions of pounds annually. It’s a problem that can no longer be ignored. Even libertarians who once opposed safety measures like compulsory seat belts in cars and helmets for motorcyclists now see the importance of taking action against smoking.
Big Tobacco is facing the facts – in the UK alone, an estimated 76,000 deaths each year are caused by smoking. It’s time for them to take responsibility for their actions and support policies that will help reduce the harm caused by smoking. The “nanny state” may be backed by science, common sense, and public opinion, but ultimately it’s up to all of us to take action and make a difference in our own lives and in the lives of those around us.