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New research predicts England to go smoke-free by 2029

England is on course to be a smoke-free nation by 2040 – but this target could potentially be achieved by 2029, according to new research conducted by Frontier Economics and commissioned by Philip Morris Limited (PML).

Frontier Economics, one of the UK’s leading consultancy firms, has used a comprehensive range of data to forecast when the Government will meet its ‘smoke-free’ target of reducing smoking to 5% of England’s adult population. Its findings include:

• A central forecast that the Government will meet its smoke-free target of 5% by 2040, and that cigarette smoking could be completely eradicated from England by 2051.

• A second more optimistic scenario in which the smoke-free target could be reached as early as 2029, with smoking eliminated completely by 2035.

• To achieve the smoke-free target by 2029, Frontier Economics estimate that an additional 210,000 smokers would need to quit each year, “over and above” those expected to quit anyway. The report notes that “significant changes” would be needed to achieve this goal, such as more smokers using NHS Stop Smoking services or switching to smoke-free products.

Peter Nixon, Managing Director of PML commented:

“We want a smoke-free country as soon as possible - 2040 is too long to wait. We believe that e-cigarettes and innovative technologies such as IQOS offer the Government more opportunities to accelerate progress towards its smoke-free target.”

PML is committed to a smoke-free future. Last year its parent company Philip Morris International, Inc. (PMI) announced its ambition to replace cigarettes with scientifically substantiated smoke-free alternatives.

Peter Nixon added: “To ensure adult smokers switch, it is critical that they are properly informed about the entire range of smoke-free alternatives now available.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by James Oliver .