Key Points
- Richmond Council has halved the number of smokers in the borough over the last 10 years, bringing smoking prevalence down to roughly 5.3%, tantalisingly close to the national ‘smokefree’ target of under 5% by 2030.
- The council’s stop smoking service, in partnership with local NHS providers, offers advice, guidance, and treatment to help residents quit, targeting the remaining few thousand smokers.
- National context: A 1962 Royal College of Physicians study found 70% of men and 40% of women smoked; a 2024 ONS study reports only 10.4% of men and 8.2% of women smoke today.
- The Conservative Government’s 2023 plans, via the 2025 Tobacco and Vapes Bill (currently in the House of Lords), aim for a ‘smokefree generation’ by phasing out tobacco sales to those born after 2009, among other measures.
- Shannon Katiyo, Director of Public Health at Richmond and Wandsworth Councils, outlined the bill’s five key areas: creating a smoke-free generation, strengthening public place bans, banning nicotine/vape marketing, introducing a licensing scheme, and toughening enforcement.
- Challenges persist as smoker numbers fall, with rising demands on cessation services and questions over whether smokefree goals suit all residents.
Richmond Council stands on the brink of declaring the borough smokefree, having slashed smoking rates by half in a decade to just 5.3%, aligning closely with the national 2030 target of under 5%. Shannon Katiyo, Director of Public Health for both Richmond and Wandsworth Councils, affirmed the council’s strategy centres on its stop smoking service, partnering with NHS providers to deliver tailored quit support. Yet, as prevalence dips, services face mounting pressures, prompting debate on universal cessation goals.
What Has Richmond Council Achieved in Reducing Smoking?
Richmond Council’s decade-long campaign has dramatically curbed smoking, reducing the borough’s smoker count by 50%. As reported in the original coverage, this positions Richmond tantalisingly near a smokefree milestone, with only about 5.3% of residents still lighting up. Katiyo emphasised,
“Our primary aim by 2030 is to be smoke-free in accordance with the national definition of smoke-free,”
noting the proximity to the 5% threshold but underscoring remaining efforts.
The council’s stop smoking service forms the cornerstone, collaborating with local NHS health providers. It furnishes those eager to quit with personalised advice, guidance, and treatments like nicotine replacements or behavioural support. Katiyo added,
“There are still a few thousand people in the borough who could benefit from our stop smoking service,”
highlighting the service’s role in bridging the final gap.
No additional media outlets reported divergent achievements, but the narrative consistently credits sustained local interventions for the halved rates, without specifying exact figures beyond the 5.3% mark.
How Does National Smoking History Contextualise Richmond’s Progress?
Britain’s smoking landscape has transformed since 1962, when a landmark Royal College of Physicians study, Smoking and Health, revealed 70% of men and 40% of women smoked. Fast-forward to today, a 2024 Office for National Statistics (ONS) study documents a stark decline: just 10.4% of men and 8.2% of women now smoke nationally.
Richmond’s 5.3% rate outperforms this average, reflecting borough-specific successes amid broader declines driven by public health campaigns and legislation. The ONS data, accessible via official bulletins, underscores generational shifts, with younger cohorts smoking far less, bolstering local targets.
Coverage across sources reaffirms this historical pivot, positioning Richmond as a frontrunner without introducing conflicting statistics.
What Are the Government’s Smokefree Generation Plans?
The Conservative Government unveiled plans in 2023 to forge a ‘smokefree generation’, detailed in the Stopping the Start policy document. This culminates in the 2025 Tobacco and Vapes Bill, navigating the House of Lords, targeting smoking’s obsolescence by 2030—defined as under 5% prevalence.
As reported by sources covering the initiative, the bill sets a national benchmark that Richmond mirrors locally. No other outlets detailed amendments, but the core ambition remains phasing out tobacco access for future generations.
What Are the Five Key Areas of the 2025 Tobacco and Vapes Bill?
Shannon Katiyo delineated the bill’s ‘five key areas’ precisely. He stated it would create a ‘smoke-free’ generation by phasing out tobacco product sales to children born after 2009. It would also strengthen bans on smoking in public places, prohibit marketing of all nicotine and vape products, introduce a licensing scheme for these items, and enhance enforcement.
Katiyo, as quoted in the primary reporting, said:
“Roughly 5.3% of the borough is still smoking, so Richmond is currently quite close to that 5% goal. But I think there’s an acknowledgement that there’s a lot of work we must still do in terms of the prevalence of smoking in the borough.”
These measures align national and local ambitions seamlessly.
Media consensus echoes Katiyo’s breakdown without additions or contradictions.
What Challenges Do Falling Smoker Numbers Pose for Services?
As Richmond’s smokers dwindle, its Smoking Service confronts escalating challenges. Fewer smokers mean a smaller pool, yet each case demands intensive support, straining resources. The original story queries whether cessation suits all, noting not everyone views quitting as viable.
Katiyo acknowledged, “there’s a lot of work we must still do,” targeting thousands via the service. No reports detailed budget hikes or staffing woes, but the inverse relationship—fewer smokers, higher per-case demands—emerges as a key tension.
Will the Council’s Strategy Achieve a Smokefree Richmond?
The borough’s cessation efforts converge on the stop smoking service, offering comprehensive aid through NHS ties. Katiyo’s vision ties directly to 2030 national goals, with Richmond’s 5.3% rate signalling feasibility. Strategies emphasise accessibility, though specifics on expansion remain unstated.
Questions linger on inclusivity: is smokefree cessation ideal for all? Coverage flags this without resolution, stressing ongoing work for the ‘few thousand’ remaining smokers.
How Does Richmond Compare to National Trends?
Richmond’s 5.3% undercuts the UK’s 10.4% male and 8.2% female rates from ONS 2024 data, showcasing superior progress. The 1962 baselines—70% men, 40% women—illustrate nationwide gains, yet Richmond halved faster locally.
No comparative borough data surfaced, but Katiyo’s comments frame Richmond as ‘quite close’ to targets, outperforming averages.
What Role Do NHS Partnerships Play?
The stop smoking service integrates with local NHS providers for holistic support. This encompasses advice, guidance, and treatments, ensuring evidence-based quits. Katiyo’s oversight across councils amplifies coordinated delivery.
