The Government is proposing that cigarettes are to be sold under the counter in an attempt to deter young people from taking up the habit and assist people in giving up.
The Department of Health’s proposals, which are to be launched in a consultation later this Spring, include removing cigarettes from point of sale and banning cigarettes in vending machines.
Along with the ban on smoking, the Government hopes the new legislation will save hundreds of lives and also prevent children from buying cigarettes.
‘Removing cigarettes from point of sale is a step in the right direction in preventing respiratory diseases such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and lung cancer.’ says Dr Keith Prowse, Chairman of the British Lung Foundation.
‘Keeping cigarettes out of view in shops will undoubtedly help those who are trying to quit and deter people, including children, from taking up the habit. Smoking kills 120,000 people a year and is the cause of many chronic and severe long term illnesses’
For more information about how to stop smoking, please click here. For press enquiries please contact Casey Purkiss on 0207 688 5564 or Katherine Huntly on 020 7688 5588.
