Calls to create a smoke free generation have been echoed by healthcare professionals across West Yorkshire.

West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership published an open response welcoming government proposals to raise the age of sale for tobacco products, create a smoke free generation and try eradicate youth vaping.

Reducing smoking could increase the years of life that people live in good health in West Yorkshire and reduce stillbirths and neonatal deaths. 

Other considerations include reducing the gap in life expectancy between people with mental health conditions, learning disabilities or autism and the rest of the population, cutting waste associated with smoking and fewer people becoming unable to work through smoking related ill health.

Raising the age that people can legally buy tobacco products will also help delay smoking uptake and reduce the number of young people who start smoking in the first place.

The letter encourages the government to take all action possible to ensure that the legislation introduced is robust and welcomes the commitment to increase funding for tobacco enforcement.

The letter was sent by Cathy Elliott, Chair of NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board; Councillor Tim Swift, Chair of WY HCP; Rob Webster CEO for NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board; Dr James Thomas, Medical Director for NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board and Chair of West Yorkshire’s Clinical and Care Professional Forum; and Rachel Spencer-Henshall, Public Health Director, and WY HCP Public Health Director Lead.