Smoking: History

 

This page seeks to illustrate that a combination of "mini-catalysts" and more significant breakthroughs can work in unison to bring about very significant changes in life expectancy.

 

Note that all catalysts are not equal in magnitude.  If one accepts that as a non-controversial statement, it then follows that some will have more impact than others - and it is the major future ones the Working Party is principally seeking to identify.

 

This borrows from a presentation given by Douglas Anderson in November 2013 (where more details are available on subsequent slides).

 

1939: Muller suggests link between smoking and cancer.

 

1943: German Institute for Tobacco Hazards study confirms Muller's finding.

 

1950: Doll and Hill identify link between smoking and lung disease.

 

1962: Royal College of Physicians calls for tobacco controls.

 

1965: TV advertising of cigarettes banned.

 

1971: Health warnings on packaging.

 

1980s: Class actions in the US and increases in tobacco duties.

 

1990s: Class actions in the US and increases in tobacco duties.

 

2005: Unal et al show 54% of improvements in CHD mortality relate to smoking. 

 

2006: Smoking ban in public UK places including pubs.

 

2010: Bhutan becomes first country to ban sale of tobacco products.

 

2012: Plain cigarette packaging introduced in Australia. 

 

2013: Call for regulation of electronic cigarettes in the UK.

 

2015: Legislation approved in the House of Commons for the introduction of standardised packaging in the UK from May 2016.