Health Minister, has welcomed the passing of a
motion to include Northern Ireland in the UK Tobacco and Vapes
Bill.
The proposed legislation will make it illegal to sell tobacco
products to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009 and will
provide powers to allow for further regulatory measures to
address youth vaping.
The motion was passed following today's Assembly debate.
Mr Swann said: “Tobacco use is the number one cause of
preventable illness and premature death, with over 2,000 people
in Northern Ireland dying from smoking attributable conditions
every year. Treating tobacco related conditions also costs
our hospitals over £200 million annually.
“Support for proposed measures to tackle these issues is clear in
the responses received from the Northern Ireland public to the UK
wide consultation on the Bill.
“The Assembly has today taken the opportunity for bold action to
protect our children and grandchildren from the misery that
tobacco use brings and I welcome this positive step forward.”
Notes to editors:
- The ‘Creating a smokefree generation and tackling youth
vaping' consultation outcome can be found on the Department of
Health and Social Care website: Creating a smokefree generation
and tackling youth vaping consultation: government response -
GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)(external(external
link opens in a new window / tab) link opens in a new
window / tab)
- Advice and information on local smoking cessation services
can be obtained at: Local help and support | Stop
Smoking (stopsmokingni.info)
