Brexit and UK Tobacco Control

In an article for the International Journal of Drug Policy, Dr. Robert Branston and Dr. Allen Gallagher from the University of Bath’s Tobacco Control Research Group (TCRG) and Deborah Arnott from Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) explore the potential implications of Brexit for UK tobacco control.

The paper examines key areas of the supply, cost, taxation, and regulation of tobacco products, and the impact of commitments in regard to the border between Ireland and Northern Ireland (NI). The research finds that Brexit provides opportunities for enhancements in areas of taxation and product regulation, but that benefits either won’t extend to NI or could lead to the UK having to follow EU rules despite not being involved in decision making processes.

The paper emphasises the importance of any future trade deal for tobacco control, especially since virtually all UK tobacco products come from the EU. It concludes that political will to secure conditions which protect the UK’s world leading tobacco control measures will be key to whether Brexit helps or hinders tobacco control in the UK.

You can read the full article here.