Mike Nesbitt, health minister for Northern Ireland, has welcomed the introduction of the ‘Tobacco and Vapes Bill’.

The bill aims to introduce a progressive smoking ban to gradually end the sale of tobacco products across the UK, so that anyone born on or after January 1, 2009, will never legally be sold cigarettes.

The inclusion of Northern Ireland in the bill will be subject to the agreement of the NI Executive and support of the NI Assembly.

Mike said, “The proposed measures in this bill offer a huge public health opportunity to reduce preventable death and illness. This is particularly important in communities where the prevalence of tobacco use is the largest contributor to health inequalities.

“Reducing these health inequalities across Northern Ireland is one of my key areas of focus and I am positive this legislation will make a very significant difference going forward.”

Michael McBride, chief medical officer, also welcomed the introduction of the bill. He said, “Smoking remains the number one preventable cause of death, disability and ill health in the UK and kills over 2,000 people in Northern Ireland every year.

“The lung cancer incidence rate in areas where deprivation is highest is around two and a half times the rate seen in the least deprived areas. Smoking rates in the areas where deprivation is highest are typically almost three times the rate in the least deprived areas, while the smoking death rate in communities where deprivation is highest is twice as high as the rate in the least deprived communities. Sadly, children of smokers are often more likely to become smokers themselves.”

The bill strengthens enforcement activity, including extending the ‘Tobacco Retailers Register’ to include vapes and other nicotine products. It also includes provisions to allow for the introduction of a retail licensing scheme in the longer term to replace the registration scheme. This will be subject to public consultation.

Mike added, “This bill will also stop vapes and other consumer nicotine products, such as nicotine pouches, from being branded and advertised to appeal to children. Together these measures will help stop the next generation from becoming addicted to nicotine.

“In addition, our health service incurs a significant cost in treating tobacco related conditions. Smoking costs health and care services in the UK £3.1bn a year - resources that could be freed up to deliver millions more appointments, scans, and operations every year.Shortening the period of life spent in ill-health will help reduce pressures on our health services and improve the quality of life for many of our population.

“I intend to introduce a Legislative Consent motion shortly and it is my sincere hope that Assembly colleagues will remain supportive of the new and enhanced provisions included in the bill. Meanwhile, my department will continue to work closely with the UK government on the range of proposals being considered within the bill.”

Joanne McClean, director of public health at the Public Health Agency, said, “The Public Health Agency welcomes the publication of the UK Tobacco and Vapes Bill. This bill has the potential to create a seismic shift in our health and wellbeing by reducing the harmful effects of tobacco.

“No other consumer product kills up to two-thirds of its users. Not only does smoking cause harm for those who smoke but it also has a negative impact on those around them.

“There is also still uncertainty around the long-term health effects of vaping. While vaping can help some people quit smoking, many young people who vape have never smoked, and become addicted to nicotine through vapes. We must do everything we can to reduce the harmful effect of tobacco and vaping use on our population.”

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