Tobacco marketing deliberately builds relationships with potential new young smokers. Over 80% of smokers start before the age of 19 and half of all long-term smokers will die from cancer or other smoking-related diseases. That’s why we want to make smoking history for our children.
The UK Government has announced legislation that will protect children from tobacco marketing – this is exciting news, but they could do more.
The Scottish Government have also introduced legislation to restrict tobacco marketing. They have committed to action on tobacco displays at the point of sale, and to ban cigarette vending machines.
If you live in England, Wales of Northern Ireland email your MP and if you live in Scotland email your MSP today asking them to put tobacco out of sight and out of mind.
MPs will start to debate the Health Bill in the House of Commons on June 8 and we need to make sure there is as much support as possible for the tobacco control measures we’re backing. We want the House of Commons to vote in favour of ending point of sale displays, and to show support for removing vending machines and bringing in plain packaging.