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Implementing tougher measures to end smoking could be an effective way to free up GPs’ time and reduce the burden on the NHS, according to new research.
The research, published by Cancer Research UK, found that up to 75,000 GP appointments could be freed up each month in England if the UK Government put an end to smoking.
Stopping smoking would also reduce pressure on emergency services, with the analysis showing that one person is admitted to hospital every minute in England due to smoking.
GPs play a key role in providing treatment and support for cancer patients
Cancer Research UK is now urging the government to adopt the measures set out in the independent review of tobacco control. These include raising the age of sale of tobacco and providing more funding to help people quit.
The charity also wants to see the government put a greater focus on preventing young people from starting smoking in the first place.
Cancer Research UK’s Dr Neil Smith (who is also a GP) says GPs “play a key role” in providing treatment and support for those who have cancer as a result of tobacco use, but GP services, and the NHS as a whole, are under extreme pressure.
Cancer Research UK’s September 2022 Cancer Awareness Measure survey found that one in five people with a ‘red flag’ potential cancer symptom who tried to contact their GP in the prior six months weren’t able to make an appointment or could not get through/get a response from the GP.
“Bold tobacco control” could therefore have a significant impact on reducing cancer rates and the NHS pressures that come with it, Dr Smith says.
“Unfortunately, it’s not just as simple as telling people to stop smoking and we will not get there fast enough without funding for stop smoking services. The tobacco industry must be made to pay for this as well as for the measures needed to stop people taking up smoking in the first place,” he said.
Public support for stop-smoking services is growing
The latest data shows that public support for further legislation to reduce smoking in England and funding to do so is growing.
A YouGov poll found that seven in 10 people said the government should invest more money to help England to become smoke-free, with 83% saying this money should come from the tobacco industry itself.
Cancer Research UK is now calling on the government to invest in campaigns and local stop smoking services that encourage and support people to quit.