Tobacco measures headline King’s Speech

Today marked the first King’s Speech - a critical opportunity for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to set out his Government’s agenda ahead of the next general election. We welcome the Government’s commitment to creating a smokefree generation and addressing NHS workforce challenges.

The Government’s key priorities outlined in today’s speech were growing the economy, strengthening society, including by helping people get the care they need when they fall sick, and keeping people safe. 

Landmark smoking legislation 

The widely anticipated Tobacco and Vapes Bill was among the headline announcements. If introduced in full, the Bill will raise the age of sale of cigarettes by one year each year. This means that anyone born after 1 January 2009 (turning 14 this year or younger) will never legally be sold cigarettes. 

Between six and seven million adults in the UK smoke cigarettes, and it’s estimated that at least 15,000 deaths in the UK each year from heart and circulatory disease can be attributed to smoking. We have welcomed this bold action from Government, which can help to prevent future generations from coming to harm from smoking. 

Dr Charmaine Griffiths, our Chief Executive, said: "Thousands of unnecessary deaths from cardiovascular disease could be avoided with the landmark smoking legislation included in today's King's Speech. If delivered in full, this Bill will help to protect countless hearts for generations to come.”   

Cutting heart care waiting lists 

The King’s Speech also saw Government re-affirm their commitment to cut waiting lists and transform the NHS workforce. The NHS Long Term Workforce Plan, published earlier this year, sets out how the health service will address severe staff shortages and meet the challenges of a growing and ageing population.   

Training, recruiting and retaining more NHS staff is key to protect our health service now and for the future, and can help more heart patients to get lifesaving care when they need it in years to come.  

Dr Griffiths added: "We welcome the Government's re-commitment to delivering the Long Term Workforce Plan. 
"Today, there are over 400,000 heart patients in England facing distressing waits for heart tests and treatment, putting them at higher risk of disability and even death. So, alongside long-term cardiac workforce planning, we need to see short-term measures to help heart patients who desperately need time-critical care now."  
 
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