An open letter signed by more than 1,200 public health directors, doctors, academics and others is urging politicians to ensure the ‘swift passage’ of the tobacco and vapes bill, as it enters its committee stage in the House of Lords. Around 125,000 young people will have already taken up smoking since the legislation was introduced late last year, the letter states.
The bill – which will make it illegal to sell tobacco to anyone born after January 2009, as well as crack down on the marketing of vapes to children – is an ‘historic opportunity to protect future generations’, says the letter. ‘We are calling on all political parties to do what they can to ensure that this legislation is passed as swiftly as possible and create a lasting legacy of a smokefree future for our children.’
Originally drafted by the previous government, the bill was shelved following the announcement of a general election before finally being introduced to Parliament last November. It passed its third reading in the House of Commons in March. Just under 12 per cent of UK adults currently smoke, the lowest proportion since records began.
‘The ban on selling tobacco to younger generations is a world leading measure that sits at the heart of the government’s health mission,’ said King’s Fund chief executive Sarah Woolnough. ‘Until recently, the creation of a society free from the harms of tobacco would have felt like a pipe dream, but now it is within ministers’ grasp. Smoking has devastating consequences for people’s lives, drives health inequalities and places huge costs on health and social care services. The game-changing measures in this bill are far too important to let it slip off the Parliamentary agenda. I and many others urge ministers to press ahead with what is likely to be one of their most positive and far-reaching actions in government.’
Open letter, Saving lives and protecting the NHS, available here.