‘Stopping the start’: support for proposed tobacco control policies – a population-based survey in Great Britain 2021–2023

Abstract

Objectives This study assessed public support for four proposed tobacco control policies in Great Britain: (1) Raising the sales age of tobacco by 1 year every year (Smokefree Generation); (2) Raising the sales age of tobacco from 18 years to 21 years; (3) Providing prescription e-cigarettes as smoking cessation aids to adults who smoke; (4) Restricting e-cigarette advertising to prevent youth uptake. Design Repeat cross-sectional population-based survey weighted to match the population of Great Britain. Setting The survey was conducted in England, Scotland and Wales in September 2021, October 2022 and October 2023. Participants 6541 adults living in Great Britain. Main outcome measures Support for each policy and year and prevalence ratios (PRs) comparing support between years and subgroups. Results The most popular policy each year was restricting e-cigarette advertising (74%/79%/85%), followed by raising the sales age to 21 years (50%/58%/64%), providing prescription e-cigarettes (45%/44%/47%) and Smokefree Generation (34%/44%/49%). The largest increases were for policies about the age of sale (Smokefree Generation: 2021/2022 PR=1.28, 95%CI 1.18 to 1.40, 2022/2023 PR=1.12, 95%CI 1.04 to 1.20; raising the age to 21 years: 2021/2022 PR=1.16, 95%CI 1.09 to 1.23, 2022/2023 PR=1.11, 95%CI 1.05 to 1.17). Only 30% opposed Smokefree Generation in 2023 down from 41% in 2021. Conclusions Support for each policy increased each year, except for providing prescription e-cigarettes. Restricting e-cigarette advertising was the most popular policy, while support for age of sale policies, in particular for a Smokefree Generation, grew most.