Labour's Cuts Could Put Lives At Risk - Brent Liberal Democrats

3.13.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 21st Nov 2007

A Brent Labour MP has been called "hypocritical" after tabling a parliamentary motion congratulating the Government's smoking policies, despite the fact that Government cuts mean that Stop Smoking Services have been axed in her own borough.

Dawn Butler's motion "welcomes the increased legal minimum age of sale for tobacco products from 16 to 18 years of age" and calls for the Government to increase "support in all areas for under 18s to quit smoking." But here in Brent the tPCT intends to axe Stop Smoking Services, withdrawing support and advice from those smokers who want to quit.

Last year at least 1000 people in Brent quit smoking after using the tPCT's Stop Smoking Services. Since the service was introduced in 2003, over 3,500 Brent smokers have been given the help they need to kick the habit.

One in six deaths in Brent are caused by smoking, and a quarter of all deaths amongst men.

Liberal Democrat Leader of Brent Council Cllr Paul Lorber said:

"Many people will be astonished to see their Labour MP applauding the Government when services in her own back yard are being slashed. If Dawn Butler really wanted to stand up for Brent she should be telling the Government that their cuts are completely unacceptable.

"Smoking costs lives. People want their MP to stand up for their interests. To congratulate the Government's record while ignoring crippling cuts in your own Borough is nothing short of hypocritical."

Local Liberal Democrat MP for Brent East Sarah Teather said:

"Smoking accounts for one in every four Brent men who die. I am astonished that the tPCT do not consider Stop Smoking Services to be important. Anyone can see that axing these services will cost lives.

"Cutting services to help people stop smoking will place an extra burden on our hospitals in the long term. Treating smoking related illnesses costs our NHS millions. The real tragedy is that these illnesses could be avoided.

"The Government should be ashamed of their record in Brent healthcare. Once these services are gone they are lost forever. Many people in Brent want to quit smoking, and I will continue to fight for the Government to give them the help that they need."