Dear Minister,
We are writing as professionals working across mental health, public health and tobacco control to urge the Government to publish a roadmap to a smokefree country which puts people with mental health conditions at the centre of efforts to reduce smoking-related inequalities.
Smoking remains the leading cause of preventable illness and premature death in the UK, yet its burden falls disproportionately on those with poor mental health. As the new report from the Mental Health and Smoking Partnership shows, smoking rates among this population are up to four times higher than in the general population, driving stark and avoidable health inequalities. Despite overall progress in reducing smoking prevalence, people with mental health conditions are at risk of being left behind.
While we welcome the introduction of quit support for people in acute mental health settings, the 1.5 million people in England with depression and anxiety who smoke have been largely overlooked. For this group, access to tailored stop smoking support is fragmented and inconsistent, resulting in a postcode lottery that undermines efforts to reduce health inequalities.
There are promising examples of innovation across the country, demonstrating what can be achieved through strong partnerships, targeted support, and a commitment to reducing inequalities. However, these approaches remain uneven and are not yet being delivered at the scale required to achieve population-level impact.
The Government must play its part by developing a roadmap to a smokefree country which puts people with poor mental health front and centre. This should explicitly address the needs of people with mental health conditions and include measurable targets and accountability for reducing inequalities.
The Government has made welcome progress through the passage of the Tobacco and Vapes Act and increased investment in stop smoking services. Now is the time to think bigger and be more ambitious to ensure that everyone, regardless of their mental health, can live a smokefree life.
Yours sincerely,