RCP Comment On Cancer Reform Strategy, UK

Main Category: Cancer / Oncology
Also Included In: Smoking / Quit Smoking
Article Date: 04 Dec 2007 - 5:00 PDT

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RCP President Professor Ian Gilmore welcomed publication of the Cancer Reform strategy yesterday:

"We welcome the measures in the Cancer Reform Strategy, particularly those on tobacco, which is still the UK's greatest public health threat. We are encouraged that the Government is committed to further regulation of tobacco products, including taking action on vending machines and packaging. We are especially delighted that the Government recognises the importance of harm reduction and the potential that it has to transform the lives of people who are addicted to tobacco, a view the College expressed in its ground-breaking report 'Harm Reduction in Nicotine Addiction' in October.

Professor John Britton, Chair of the RCP's tobacco advisory group which produced the report, said:

"Preventing smoking has done more to reduce the incidence of cancer than any other measure and further massive gains to public health could be realised by the development and implementation of these policies. However, we believe the benefits of harm reduction can only be fully realised with a radical reform of nicotine product regulation to ensure that those who use a nicotine product, use the safest possible product."

Royal College of Physicians