On April 1st 2013, the provision of stop smoking services and campaigns passed from the NHS to local councils. This will mean them spending a considerable amount of taxpayer’s money on useless (NRT – Note 1) and dangerous (Champix – Note 2) pharmaceutical products, not to mention likely anti-smoking advertising campaigns. For example it has been reported that Croydon council is planning an annual spend of £900,000.
On 2nd of May 2013 there are local council elections throughout England and Wales, although not in London or Croydon as it happens. While Freedom2Choose is not aligned to any political party and does not take a stance either for or against any party, we do applaud when a politician recognises the need for common-sense.
So now is the time to ask questions of your local candidates.
Note 1: http://freedom2choose.info/news_viewer.php?id=969 and http://www.tobaccoanalysis.blogspot.co.uk/2009/04/new-study-demonstrates-how-conflicts-of.html
Note 2: http://www.mlive.com/business/west-michigan/index.ssf/2013/03/report_anti-smoking_drug_lawsu.html