Member

I understand why the noble Lord and other noble Lords feel as they do, but it is important to remind ourselves why this Bill is needed. Smoking is the number one preventable cause of death, disability and ill health. It claims the lives of around 80,000 people a year in the UK and causes one in four of all cancer deaths in England. Up to two-thirds of deaths in current smokers can be attributed to smoking. Somebody is admitted to hospital because of smoking almost every minute and up to 75,000 GP appointments can be attributed to smoking each month. Furthermore, smoking is estimated to cost our society £21.3 billion a year in England alone. It is quite clear that we need bold action to address this. That is why we are gradually raising the age of sale, to create the UK’s first smoke-free generation, delivering on our manifesto commitment.