Smoking will cause almost 30,000 cancer cases in Scotland over next five years, according to Cancer Research UK

Smoking will cause around 29,400 cancer cases in Scotland over the next five years if trends continue, alarming new analysis by Cancer Research UK has revealed.

The charity is calling for MPs from all UK nations to take urgent action and vote in favour of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill ahead of its second reading in the House of Commons on Tuesday.

To become law in Scotland, this landmark legislation must receive the support of MPs at Westminster. MSPs will then also need to back the Bill, with a vote required in the Scottish Parliament.

The Bill seeks to make it illegal to sell tobacco to anyone born on or after January 1, 2009. That would mean that children turning 15 this year will never legally be able to be sold cigarettes.

It also includes powers to introduce a licensing scheme for tobacco and vapes and extend smokefree spaces.

Progressively raising the age of sale of tobacco could have a profound impact in Scotland, where tobacco is the leading cause of cancer.

As MPs prepare to debate the Bill, Cancer Research UK points to this moment as an historic opportunity to help prevent cancers, alleviate pressures on already overstretched health services and pave the way for a smokefree UK.

Cancer Research UK’s executive director of policy, Dr Ian Walker, said: “Tobacco kills up to two thirds of its users. The magnitude of damage caused by smoking cannot be ignored and these statistics expose the lives that are at stake.

“We know that smoking rates decline with government intervention. Raising the age of sale of tobacco products and funding cessation services will help to protect people from a lifetime of deadly and costly addiction.

“The Tobacco and Vapes Bill could be one of the most impactful public health interventions in my lifetime. People’s lives are now in the hands of politicians, and I urge all MPs to vote for a future free from the harms of tobacco.”

When used as recommended by the manufacturer, cigarettes are the one legal product that will kill the consumer – two out of three people who smoke will die from smoking.

Recent polling data reveals strong public backing to tackle smoking. 71% of people support raising the age of sale of tobacco products gradually to prevent future generations from ever legally being sold tobacco.

Public health minister Jenni Minto said: “We welcome the re-introduction of the UK-wide Tobacco and Vapes Bill to UK Parliament which, once passed, will help us to achieve our ambitious target of a tobacco-free Scotland by 2034.

“Smoking causes huge harms to individuals, their families and loved ones and has wider impacts on the NHS and society. It is a major contributor to health inequalities – which is why our shared goal is to eradicate tobacco use.”