Forest welcomes closure of anti-smoking group

Fri 5th February, 2016

Forest has welcomed the forthcoming closure of Public Health Action, formerly Smokefree South West.

According to the BBC, eleven councils in the South West have withdrawn funding for the group, citing government cuts. Reports say Public Health Action will close in June.

Simon Clark, director of Forest, said: "Taxpayers already pay for NHS smoking cessation services and national anti-smoking campaigns.

"When budgets are so tight, and other services are being cut, it's difficult to justify the use of public money to support yet another tobacco control group.

"The health risks of smoking are very well known and widely publicised by other bodies including Public Health England which has a regional office in Bristol.

"In terms of public health, the impact of Smokefree South West closing will be negligible."

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