Health bosses in Sefton have welcomed yesterday’s backing of the new Tobacco and Vapes bill by MPs.

If it becomes law, the bill will make it illegal for anyone currently aged 15 or younger to ever buy cigarettes in the UK.

Good news

Cllr Mhairi Doyle, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, said: “Although smoking rates have fallen, millions of people still smoke, including many in Sefton, so the introduction of measures to prevent future generations buying cigarettes at all has to be good news.

“Research has shown that over 80% of smokers start before they are 20 years old, and that the earlier someone starts, the more likely they are to smoke in later years, so while the bill still faces further parliamentary scrutiny, I hope that MPS and peers give it their backing and make it law.”

Around 5 million adults in England are smokers. The harm caused by smoking is the largest preventable cause of death in England. Smoking is thought to account for over 60,000 deaths annually.

Admission to hospital

Margaret Jones, Sefton Council’s Director of Public Health said: “Two in three smokers will die because of long-term smoking, and smokers are much more likely to need NHS services and admission to hospital.

“Stopping smoking is certainly not easy but the Smoke Free Sefton team can provide the support and advice that can help people successfully give up.

“More information is available at www.sefton.gov.uk/Smoke-Free or by calling the team on 0300 100 1000.”

People can also find out more about support from the NHS on giving up smoking, here.