Another Useless Government Target That Won't Be Met...

...not to mention yet another thing we can chalk up to lockdown:

Working from home during the pandemic may have stopped people quitting smoking, researchers have suggested.

*sighs* 

The rate of decline in smoking rates across England appears to have 'stagnated', with more young people taking up smoking during the pandemic and a slower decline in the middle classes quitting than those who were less affluent.

With the constant price hikes they can at least afford to! 

Researchers suggested that people who are less affluent may have felt more urgency to quit during the pandemic, while those who were wealthier and had professional or managerial roles may have carried on smoking due to stress.

No s**t, Sherlock! 

The study warned that the Government needs to 'reignite progress in reducing smoking among the more advantaged social grades and identify ways to accelerate the decline among less advantaged groups' if it is to get near its target of making England smoke-free by 2030.

Why have the government - a Conservative government, at that - set such bizarre targets in the first place? 

And If Anyone's Qualified To Speak On 'Dishonesty'...

Sir Chris Whitty claimed attempts by tobacco lobbyists to make any debate around smoking legislation about health vs freedom are 'dishonest'.

...it's surely him. As Longrider points out.

Under the final must-do plan, doctors should promote vaping to patients as an 'effective tool to help people to quit smoking tobacco'.

'We know vapes are not a "silver bullet" nor are they totally risk-free, but the alternative is far worse,' the review states.

That's if you can actually get to see a GP, of course! 

Cartoons and images on vaping products that appeal to children should be banned and flavours should be reviewed to ensure they don't appeal to young people, the report states.

What sort of flavours don't appeal to young people, then? Semolina? Broccoli? 

Mr Javid told Parliament that the Government 'will now consider its response' to Dr Khan's 'clear and challenging' recommendations. He said the Government is already investing in smoking prevention through a public health grant but 'will examine where we can go further'.

I know where you and your wretched nannying government can go, Sajid...