BLOG: Let’s make smoking in Liverpool history

Following the #KingsSpeech, Professor Matthew Ashton, Liverpool’s Director of Public Health, shares his views on the proposed UK smoking ban, and #Liverpool’s new six-year Tobacco Control Strategy. 

This week marked a significant step in Liverpool’s #SmokeFree journey as the Liverpool Tobacco Control Alliance, a multi-disciplinary forum of professionals committed to making smoking in Liverpool history, joined forces to launch the City’s new Tobacco Control Strategy. 

Our strategy, which the Council’s Cabinet approved in June, is a bold document outlining our City’s approach for the next six years. It’s ambitious, aiming to reduce the proportion of smokers in Liverpool from just over 17 percent to 5 percent by 2030. This is more than just numbers on a page: it’s about changing lives, improving health and creating a smoke-free future for our City’s young people. 

The morning kicked off with a welcome from Cllr Harry Doyle, Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing & Culture. Cllr Doyle shared his thanks for all the hard work that has gone into creating this strategy with our Public Health team, as well as the various city partners in attendance. 

Seeing the diversity of people at the event, from healthcare professionals to community leaders, was a powerful reminder that reducing tobacco use is indeed, everyone’s business. 

Adding to the day’s importance, I am very mindful of the King’s Speech, which outlined plans to legislate banning the sale of cigarettes to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009. This announcement aligns with our local efforts and reinforces the national momentum towards a smoke-free future. It’s great to see that our City’s ambitions are part of a broader, national movement to protect the health of future generations. Liverpool stands ready to help deliver this ambition. 

The road ahead is long, and we are bound to face numerous challenges, but I am confident we have the dedication, expertise, and collective will to make a real difference. 

Together, we can deliver positive results and, ultimately, make smoking in Liverpool history. 

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Hear Director of Public Health, Matthew Ashton, and health partners explain why our Tobacco Control Strategy is so important on BBC Radio Merseyside HERE.