• Press releases
  • Latest press release
• Archive
  • 2010
  • 2009
  • 2008
  • 2007
  • 2006
  • 2005
  • 2004
  • 2003
  • 2002
  • 2001
  • 2000
• Related Links
  • RCP London website
  • Contact us

RCP London : Press Releases : 2002

A new report published today by the Royal College of Physicians calls for a nicotine and tobacco regulatory authority to protect public health in the UK. ‘Protecting Smokers, Saving Lives’ sets out the reasons why this is necessary and whether the UK is capable of meeting the regulatory challenges that lie ahead. Tobacco is a uniquely dangerous consume product, killing over 100,000 people per year in the UK when used as intended by the manufacturer, yet it is not as highly regulated as prescription drugs or food. The RCP first recommended a tobacco regulatory authority in its 2000 report 'Nicotine Addiction in Britain', but the recommendation was largely ignored by the Government. The RCP argues that the current regulations in place are inadequate to meet the challenges of developments in the tobacco market and argues that tobacco and nicotine products need much better regulation: · New reduced risk cigarettes and smokeless tobacco products are being designed – how will the Government handle issues such as relative risk, analysing the claims of such products, and what information would be helpful to smokers? · We need to encourage the development and production of new nicotine products, but they face much stricter regulation than cigarettes which are more dangerous – how do we level the playing field to protect smokers? · The policy responses need skilled programme management, underlined with scientific knowledge, yet the Government’s resources devoted to regulating tobacco, by far the largest threat to public health in the UK, were described by the Health Select Committee as “pitiful”. In the light of these challenges, the RCP believes it is time for the Health Select Committee to press the Government again on this issue · The Government has argued that tobacco should be regulated at EU level, but there is no institution or agency at that level to do this. Attempts to regulate tobacco at EU level have not been very successful as it is not treated as health legislation and solutions are frequently those acceptable to the least progressive Member State The report looks at various possible models for a tobacco and nicotine regulatory authority – the Office of Tobacco Control in Ireland, the UK Food Standards Agency and the Medicines Control Agency. The College believes that such an agency should be outside the Department of Health, but should advise the Secretary of State on regulation. The body should be funded by fees levied on the regulated industry – as is the case with the MCA and to some extent the FSA and Environment Agency.

• Protecting smokers, saving lives