The British Dental Association has joined other members of the Smokefree Action Coalition in applauding this week’s government announcement of a plan to reduce smoking prevalence.
The plan includes prohibiting the display of tobacco products in large shops by April 2012 and small shops by April 2015 and a commitment to consult on forcing tobacco products to be sold in plain packaging.
It also sets out targets for the reduction of smoking prevalence in adults, children and pregnant women.
Professor Damien Walmsley, scientific adviser to the BDA, said: ‘Tobacco use has a significant negative impact on dental health, contributing to the increasing number of cases of oral cancers and conditions such as gum disease.
‘Tobacco is one of the factors that creates and perpetuates oral health inequalities in the UK. As a member of the Smokefree Action Coalition the BDA is committed to eradicating the harm that tobacco does to the nation’s health and we applaud this week’s announcement as a positive step forward.’
