New targets to reduce inequalities in smoking
2.8 The NHS Plan set out the intention to introduce new national health inequalities targets.
With the new interventions such as NRT and Zyban to assist smokers who want to quit, and the new resources now available, the time is right to do this for smoking. So this plan introduces new national and local targets to address inequalities in smoking rates between socio- economic groups. At national level, for the first time we are making the explicit commitment that we shall reduce smoking rates among manual groups from 32% in 1998 to 26% by 2010, so that we can narrow the gap between manual and non- manual groups.
2.9 We shall also set local targets making explicit what this means for the 20 health authorities with the highest smoking rates, to help focus action in the areas where it is most needed, and we shall support this with targeted resources and initiatives.
