UK’s smokefree plans the focus of latest IFoA ‘think’ piece

6 August 2024

The Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (IFoA) has published its latest thought leadership ‘think’ piece, authored by leading public health expert Nicola Draper, titled ‘Clearing the air: the UK’s plan for a smoke free generation’.

Author and IFoA Honorary Fellow Draper uses historical data to analyse the scale of the smoking problem in the UK. She looks at the potential that the UK government’s proposed Tobacco and Vapes Bill has for reducing rates of tobacco consumption.

Draper also considers what is needed beyond implementing the proposed bill for maximum impact, using insights from research carried out in New Zealand. This includes robust support measures, investment in stop smoking services, and public awareness campaigns.

The Tobacco and Vapes Bill was introduced at the 2023 King’s Speech and included as part of His Majesty’s speech in the newly formed Labour government. The goal is to achieve a smokefree England by 2030, where only 5% of the population would smoke. This would be achieved by restricting the purchase of tobacco products to anyone born on or after January 1 2009.

Smoking is a leading cause of preventable illness and death in the UK. The annual cost of smoking to individuals, public services, and the wider economy is £89.3 billion; equivalent to around 3.9% of GDP.

Nicola Draper, Author, Clearing the air: the UK’s plan for a smoke free generation, said:

“There is no doubt that smoking has negative impacts on personal health and public finances.’

“The UK Government’s proposed Tobacco and Vapes bill has the potential to go a long way to reducing the consumption and purchase of tobacco products and vaping. However, this will not be enough on its own to achieve the ambitious target of a smokefree England by 2030. There will need to be additional support measures in place such as investment in stop smoking services and public awareness campaigns to help make this goal a reality.”

IFoA President Kartina Tahir-Thomson said:

“The IFoA ‘Think’ series aims to encourage debate and discussion on a variety of areas of actuarial work. The series gives IFoA members and stakeholders alike a platform to share views and consider topics that are controversial and have no easy answers.

“The Tobacco and Vapes bill is an important area of discussion given the negative impacts the purchase and subsequent use of tobacco has on society. Nicola Draper’s expertise in the area of public health puts her in an excellent position to share her thoughts and analysis on this topic. This piece is a great example of how leading experts and IFoA members collaborate to explore in depth some of the most pressing issues facing society.”

~ENDS~

Contact

Hannah Patmore, Communications Manager, IFoA
Tel: 07519106714
Email: hannah.patmore@actuaries.org.uk 

Notes to editor

Read ‘Clearing the air: the UK's plan for a smoke free generation’ (PDF, 1.58 MB)

Find previous ‘think’ pieces on the IFoA website

Nicola Draper biography:

Nicola Draper is a leading expert in Public Health and associated Mortality, Morbidity & Longevity risk. In 2007, she co-founded the firm Medical Intelligence who provided ongoing research and support to actuaries; she now works for Crystallise Ltd as Director of Longevity Consulting. In 2020, Nicola joined the Covid-19 Action Taskforce and working party, and was a co-chair and founding member of the non-affiliated Covid-19 Actuaries Response Group, and sits on the Health and Care Board. She is also co-chair of the Diabetes Working Party and was deputy chair of the now completed Anti-Microbial Working Party. In 2021 Nicola was awarded the IFoA President’s Award for her medical expertise and in 2024 she was elected as an Honorary Fellow for her service to the profession.

About the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries 

The Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (IFoA) is a royal chartered, not-for-profit, professional body.

Research undertaken by the IFoA is not commercial. As a learned society, research helps us to fulfil our royal charter requirements to further actuarial science and serve the public interest.

Actuaries provide commercial, financial and prudential advice on the management of a business’s assets and liabilities, especially where long term management and planning are critical to the success of any business venture. They also advise individuals, and advise on social and public interest issues.

Members of the IFoA have a statutory role in the supervision of pension funds and life insurance companies. They also have a statutory role to provide actuarial opinions for managing agents at Lloyd’s of London.

Members are governed by the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries. A rigorous examination system is supported by a programme of continuing professional development and a professional code of conduct supports high standards reflecting the significant role of actuaries in society.

The IFoA is available to provide independent expert comment to the media on a range of actuarial-related issues, including COVID-19 and its long term consequences, mortality, pensions, life and general insurance, health and care, finance and investment, climate change and sustainability, systems thinking, uncertainty and judgement, and risk management.