Smoking & nicotine use: a public health perspective

The UK faces considerable and persistent public health challenges. Recent data on healthy life expectancy indicate that, among comparable countries, only the US population spends fewer years in good health than people in the UK. There are multiple reasons for this, including economic factors, obesity and declines in mental health, particularly among young people. Yet the understandable focus on these important causes overlooks a persistent and related one – the ongoing health harms of tobacco and the disproportionate burden borne by particular groups. This presentation will outline why addressing smoking must remain one of our most important public health priorities and why continued efforts are required, alongside vigilance and appropriate policies relating to the emerging health harms from other nicotine products.