There is no doubt that smoking is injurious for health. Not only does it cause several types of cancer, but it is also one of the leading causes of heart diseases. Despite the vast volume of literature regarding the hazards of smoking, it is surprising that it has not affected the number of people who smoke. According to WHO, tobacco kills more than 8 million people each year globally.
In 2019, there were about one million (991,025) smokers in London, which is about 15% of the total smokers in the UK.
What is even more startling is that around 207,000 children between the ages of 11-15 start smoking in the UK each year. Among these children, about 67 children in London begin smoking each day. People who start smoking before the age of fifteen are at a higher risk of health problems.
With such trends, it is hard to assume that London will become smoke-free in the next decade or so. Despite these statistics, there is hope. Evidence from Ash.org.uk (Action on Smoking and Health) suggests that smoking has indeed declined in the city. The smoking rates decreased from 14.6% in 2017 to 13.9% in 2018.
With e-cigarettes and vapes, such as V2, on the rise, smoking may be on the decline in the coming years. Even more striking is the fact that people have quit smoking due to the Coronavirus pandemic. BBC reports that between 15th April and 20th June 2020, about 41% of those who gave up smoking responded to the spread of Coronavirus. But this statistic applies to all of the UK and not to London alone.
In addition to this, several organisations are trying to spread awareness regarding the harmful effects of smoking. Some Government-funded organisations include Cancer Research UK, The British Heart Foundation, Centre for Tobacco Control Research, Action on Smoking and Health, etc.
According to the report by ASH, about 75% of adult Londoners support activities and campaigns against smoking or think that the Government needs to do more. It is a positive step for London if it aims to become a smoke-free city soon. However, the Government needs to implement policies to curb the spread of smoking in the city.
But the question remains: will London be the first city to become smoke-free?
There is still doubt regarding whether London will be the first city ever to become smoke-free. It will take another ten to fifteen years to end smoking.
An article by the Guardian reports that England will miss the target to become smoke-free by 2030 (according to the Cancer Research UK). Smoking levels are high in deprived areas and the low-income communities in the country. It will take about twenty years to lower smoking rates by 5% in these areas, predicts CRUK. Instead, the UK may be able to reach its target by 2037.
Around the world
Around the world, cities aim to reduce smoking habits among their people (at least in public places). There are currently ten cities in China that are virtually smoke-free. These include Anshan, Beijing, Changchun, Lanzhou, Nanning, Qingdao, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Tangshan, and Xi’an. The Governments in these regions protect about twelve million people from the harm of passive smoking.
Apart from these Asian cities, São Paulo in Brazil, Mexico City in Mexico, and even New York have also become smoke-free. The driving force behind the success is political leadership and local Governments, according to WHO.
In addition to this, Milan is the first Italian city to become smoke-free, especially in outdoor public places, such as parks, trams, buses, sports grounds, etc. Likewise, Finland aims to become tobacco-free by 2030 as trends in smoking decline rapidly in the country.
The reality of becoming smoke-free 100% may be hard to accomplish as these cities have only implemented smoke-free in public places.
