MPs introduce standardised tobacco packaging
Dental health organisations are celebrating MPs voting in the introduction of standardised packaging of tobacco in England. In a free vote in the House of Commons, 367 MPs voted yes to standardising packaging, versus only 113 MPs who voted no. Delighted at the high majority, experts claim this is a ‘significant step towards vast health improvements’ for the country. Standardized tobacco packaging will become a legal requirement in May 2016.
It is hoped that the move will result in a decrease in the number of cases of mouth cancer in England, as well as overall improvement in oral health. With smoking responsible for a variety of other dental health issues such as the staining of teeth, dental plaque, halitosis, tooth loss, and gum disease alongside cancer, the decision has been welcomed by most. When the government initially announced their intention to bring forward such plans, Dr Nigel Carter OBE, chief executive of the British Dental Health Foundation (BDHF), stated that tobacco was still the biggest risk factor for oral cancer, ‘a disease that has increased dramatically in the last decade’. The Health Minister added that smoking was still ‘one of our most significant public health challenges’, placing huge pressures on the already strained NHS.
As well as the BDHF, individuals in the dental community have also expressed their happiness with the positive vote. Ken Lavery, consultant in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Trustee of the BDHF, has praised the government’s decision to standardize tobacco packaging. In the past, the BDHF has often criticised the government for its ‘lack of movement on the issue’, says Lavery, but is pleased ‘common sense has prevailed’ in order to allow the dental community a ‘real win and one we can be very proud of’. After lobbying the government to review available evidence amidst concerns that they would drag out the issue, Lavery was happy to see the decision brought forward and what the results of the vote were.
Lavery again highlighted the significance that the vote will have on reducing mouth cancer, quoting figures that show there are more than 6,500 cases and 2,000 deaths each year from the disease. He deems the announcement a ‘large step in the right direction’ to start bringing those numbers down.
