Monday 14th October saw the inaugural meeting of the newly formed All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Smoking, the first-time ministers and MPs have come together to discuss the topic since the formation of the new government.
Speakers included the new Minister for Public Health and Prevention, Andrew Gwynne, Shadow Minister Dr Ben Spencer and smoking survivors Linda Chambers and Sue Mountain, who bravely shared their stories of the impact tobacco has had on their lives.
Speakers and attendees called for progress on the Tobacco and Vapes Bill which was introduced by the previous government. This historic legislation will result in the creation of a smokefree generation by raising the age of sale for all tobacco products by one year every year from 2027. This will mean that people born on or after 1st January 2009 will never legally be able to buy tobacco.
The bill will also restrict the promotion and sale of vapes, while recognising their benefit as a stop smoking aid. 83% of smokers start before the age of 20, and it is estimated that 127,000 young people between the ages of 18-25 start smoking regularly in the UK each year.
At the meeting, Minister for Public Health and Prevention, Andrew Gwynne, said:
“Prevention will always be better than a cure so we must take action now to tackle the country’s biggest killers and build a fairer UK, where everyone lives well for longer.”
“The Tobacco and Vapes Bill will be the biggest public health intervention since smoking was banned in indoor public spaces. It will tackle the harms of smoking, breaking the cycle of addiction and put us on track to a smokefree UK.”
“This Bill will not only save thousands of lives but ease the pressures on the NHS. By building a healthier society, we will help to build a healthy economy.”
The APPG and those attending also heard from the Shadow Public Health Minister Ben Spencer, demonstrating continued cross-party support for the policy.
Also attending the event were Lee Shields and Liam Tyrer, both 18 from Kirkby in Knowsley, along with their youth worker Jack Rice. These young men have been directly impacted by smoking in their families and communities, and were keen to share their stories with MPs and Ministers, emphasising the need for the bill to be passed as soon as possible.
About the legislation, Lee said:
“I’d say I don’t condone smoking tobacco I feel just does a lot more harm than good. I think the legislation is good as it should encourage less people to want to smoke it’s not good for the environment or your health.”
Also supporting the bill are Dr Sarah McNulty, Director of Public Health for Knowsley and Lead Director for All Together Smokefree, and Professor Ian Ashworth, Director of Population Health for NHS Cheshire and Merseyside. Through working in the field for many years, both have seen first-hand the effects of tobacco on our communities.
Dr McNulty said:
“It’s fantastic to hear from young people like Liam and Lee living in our subregion, who recognise the dangers of smoking and support the drive for tighter laws around the sale of tobacco.”
“Research shows that the majority of the public and retailers agree with them, and it’s time for the government to listen and to get this legislation passed as quickly as possible. Every day it is held up another 350 young people will start smoking, opening the door to a lifetime of addiction, ill-health and premature death.”
Professor Ian Ashworth said:
“More and more smokers across Cheshire and Merseyside are kicking the habit every year, however over one in ten adults in the subregion still smoke, and this is partly due to children and young people taking up smoking.”
“This legislation will deter people from ever starting to smoke, protecting them from the physical, emotional and economic harm that tobacco can cause. The sooner the bill is passed, the more lives can be saved from this devastating addiction.”