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Liverpool City Council has once again demonstrated its commitment to public health by pledging to accelerate efforts to reduce smoking rates in the city to under one per cent by 2040. This pledge aligns with the national goal of a Smokefree UK and highlights Liverpool’s dedication to going “further and faster” in tackling tobacco-related harm.
Cllr Liam Robinson, Leader of the Council, announced this commitment during the May Cabinet meeting, where he also highlighted the recent passage of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill into law. He described the legislation as a historic opportunity that will help shield future generations from the dangerous effects of smoking. A key provision of the Bill mandates that from January 2027, tobacco products cannot be sold to individuals born on or after 1 January 2009. Additionally, the Bill introduces stricter controls on vaping advertising and youth access, with plans to potentially expand smokefree zones following further consultation.
Liverpool has made significant strides in reducing smoking prevalence compared to regional and national averages, driven by its comprehensive tobacco control strategy. Over the past year, the city’s dedicated stop smoking service, Smoke Free Liverpool, supported 3,644 smokers in successfully quitting. The Council has also pioneered the creation of smokefree environments, extending these measures to homes, playgrounds, pavements, and sports sidelines, earning recognition as a finalist for the Local Government Chronicle Public Health Intervention of the Year Award.
Enforcement plays a crucial role in Liverpool’s approach to tobacco control. In the 2025/26 period, the Public Protection Alcohol and Tobacco Unit seized over half a million illicit cigarettes, valued at more than £160,000. Efforts to reduce underage vaping have also proven effective, with test purchase attempts between 2023 and 2025 showing a dramatic decline in illegal vape sales to minors—from 31 per cent down to 10 per cent. Despite this progress, smoking remains a leading cause of preventable death and health inequality in Liverpool, driving the Council’s decision to formalize its commitment through the Pledge for a Smokefree UK developed by the Smokefree Action Coalition
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