A DOCTOR at a Hyde surgery has described the Government’s proposed smoking ban “as significant as the Road Safety Act 1967”.
New legislation has been put forward which would make it an offence to sell tobacco products to anyone born on or after January 1, 2009, in the UK, as well as ban disposable vapes.
MPs recently voted in favour of the proposals by 383 votes to 67, bringing The Tobacco and Vapes Bill a step closer to becoming law.
If the measures become law, the UK’s smoking laws will be among the strictest in the world and several MPs voted against the bill, arguing it would limit personal freedom.
But Dr Nabeel Arshad, a partner at The Brooke Surgery, says the approval “felt like a significant step forward in our battle against smoking-related illnesses and our overall approach to public health”.
He likened the move to the landmark Road Safety Act 1967, which made it an offence to drive a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration of over 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood – legislation he says “arguably continues to save thousands of lives each year”.
Dr Arshad has witnessed first-hand the “devastating impact of smoking” on the health of his patients. Although he feels the legislation marks progress, he admits “our work is far from over” and points to the high number of smokers in the area coupled with air pollution.
“Despite concerted efforts to reduce smoking rates, areas like Tameside continue to grapple with alarmingly high proportions of smokers, far exceeding national averages,” said Dr Arshad.
“The prevalence of smokers who reach for their first cigarette within minutes of waking up – 14 per cent of smokers in the UK – underscores the entrenched nature of addiction in our communities.
“As a healthcare professional, I cannot overlook the state of air pollution in the very neighbourhoods we serve, which contribute to the poor health of even non-smokers and those who have kicked the habit.
“The fact that our immediate catchment area ranks in the 89th percentile for national air pollution levels is not just concerning; it’s a stark reminder of the innumerous challenges we face in safeguarding the health and wellbeing of Greater Manchester residents.”
Dr Arshad hopes the legislation – also backed by local health leaders in Greater Manchester – will be “a positive stride forward” but calls on a collective effort to “not lose sight of the broader picture”.
He added: “Let’s use this momentum to redouble our efforts in promoting healthier behaviours and environments, ensuring that every individual in our community has the opportunity to lead a smoke-free, pollution-free life.
“Only then can we truly claim victory in our fight for a healthier, happier Greater Manchester, and ease the burden on millions of GPs like myself who have the sad task of advising the patients we serve that they will have to go on for treatment, knowing that a grim meeting with oncology specialists is their next step.”
Recently, The Brooke Surgery – on Market Street – officially became the highest-rated in the country after bucking the national trend amid a stark decline in NHS satisfaction rates.