Smoking and tobacco

In April 2022, we responded to a Scottish Government consultation on the advertising and promotion of vaping products in Scotland. Below is a short summary, with our full response available in the downloads section.

In March 2022 we responded to the Welsh Government’s consultation on the Tobacco control strategy and delivery plan for Wales. This page provides a summary, and you can download our full response.

The target of the Welsh Government's long term tobacco control strategy, is a smoke-free Wales by 2030, or less than 5% of the population smoking. The RCPCH welcomes this announcement.

The overall rates of smoking among UK adults and young people have declined in recent decades. Legislation around the consumption, sale and advertisement of cigarettes has become tighter, and wide-reaching public health campaigns have taken effect.

A good start in life is critical for health—and this story begins before birth. The WHO states that monitoring maternal and child health during pregnancy is critical, and that smoking is one of the most important modifiable lifestyle choices during this period.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is requesting that healthcare professionals report any suspected side effects or safety concerns with e-cigarettes and the e-liquids used for vaping to the Yellow Card Scheme.

A joint report by RCPCH and the Royal College of Physicians suggests we need to do more to improve the quality of our indoor air.

The Scottish Health Survey (SHeS) provides a detailed picture of the health of the Scottish population in private households and is designed to make a major contribution to the monitoring of health in Scotland. RCPCH Officer for Scotland, Professor Steve Turner, responds.