More Reaction to Government’s Plans
Scientists and experts have reacted to the new government’s pledges contained within the King’s speech covering health and bringing down cancer rates
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by Dave Cross
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Scientists and experts have reacted to the new government’s pledges contained within the King’s speech covering health and bringing down cancer rates. Professor Dame Sally Davies, Professor Andrew Morris, Dr Ian Walker, and Dr Charmaine Griffiths all shared their perspective but failed again to push the case for tobacco harm reduction.
Professor Dame Sally Davies, Master of Trinity College and the former Chief Medical Officer of England, said: “The health-related measures announced in the King’s Speech are very welcome. The plans to reduce smoking and vaping, as well as other prevention measures related to junk food advertising and sales of energy drinks to children, will help both the health and happiness of people and our ability as a nation to work and promote growth.”
Davies frequently parroted comments made by Professor Martin McKee when in post as CMO and is a hardline vape sceptic.
Professor Andrew Morris, President of the Academy of Medical Sciences, said: “We welcome the priorities outlined in tthe King’s Speech, including legislation to prioritise prevention and improve mental health provision, AI regulation and planning reform to encourage investment in new technologies. This early emphasis from the new government sets the right tone for focusing on health and research to drive growth and improve wellbeing.
“To unlock these benefits for public health and the economy, this government has the opportunity to harness the excellence in medical scientific research across the UK. This community, working in partnership with patients and the public can provide the engine for evidence-based policymaking which should be at the forefront in implementing its legislative agenda.
“As the independent, expert National Academy for medical and health research, we look forward to working with ministers across government and offering our expertise and energy to help deliver a future-proofed health research system and health for all informed by the best evidence.”
Hopefully, the new government will heed Professor Andrew Morris’ words about evidence-based policy making.
Dr Ian Walker, Executive Director of Policy at Cancer Research UK’s, said: “The government’s commitment to introduce new legislation on smoking will have a hugely positive impact on the nation’s health. Smoking is the biggest preventable cause of death in the UK and is responsible for 160 cancer cases per day. By raising the age of sale for tobacco products, the government will help to prevent cancer, relieve pressures on the NHS and build a healthier future.
“This bold announcement positions the UK as world leading in tobacco control. We now hope to see the legislation passed and implemented in full across the UK to help bring an end to cancers caused by smoking for good.”
Unfortunately, this would have been a good opportunity for Dr Ian Walker to mention the strength of evidence supporting vaping as a harm reduction tool.
Lastly, Dr Charmaine Griffiths, Chief Executive of the British Heart Foundation, said: “The commitment to raise the age of sale of cigarettes will help to save countless lives and protect thousands of hearts for generations to come. Smoking is still a major cause of heart and circulatory disease, so we urge the new Government to bring in this landmark legislation as quickly as possible – there is no time to waste.”
The BHF knows how vaping leads to benefits, stating on the website: “A study from the University of Dundee, published in November 2019 and funded by the British Heart Foundation, suggests that vaping may be less harmful to your blood vessels than smoking cigarettes. Within just one month of switching tobacco for electronic cigarettes, measures of blood vessel health, including blood pressure and stiffness of their arteries, had started to improve.”
Dr Charmaine Griffiths missed the chance to share this vital information.
Photo Credit:
Vape image by author
Dave Cross
Journalist at POTVDave is a freelance writer; with articles on music, motorbikes, football, pop-science, vaping and tobacco harm reduction in Sounds, Melody Maker, UBG, AWoL, Bike, When Saturday Comes, Vape News Magazine, and syndicated across the Johnston Press group. He was published in an anthology of “Greatest Football Writing”, but still believes this was a mistake. Dave contributes sketches to comedy shows and used to co-host a radio sketch show. He’s worked with numerous start-ups to develop content for their websites.
