100-day countdown to a smokefree generation begins (23rd Sept)
In 100 days from now (1 January), future generations in the North East will be protected from ever being legally sold lethal tobacco products which kill 2 in 3 lifelong smokers.
From 1 January 2027, it will be illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009. The age of sale will then increase by one year every year, eventually phasing out the sale of tobacco across the UK.
64% of people in the North East support the policy, highlighting the strength of public backing for action to prevent children from the harms of tobacco.
Meanwhile, in time for Stoptober, figures also show that 79% of people who smoke in the North East say they regret ever starting and 71% say they wish they could quit.
Directors of Public Health from across the North East supporting a Smokefree Generation
Smoking has killed more than 8 million people in the UK since 1970. The measure is expected to protect up to 4 million young people across Great Britain from being sold lethal tobacco within the next five years, helping to prevent more people dying from lung cancer, COPD and heart disease in the future.
In the North East 10.2% of adults currently smoke – but the region has seen the highest fall in smoking in England from 29% in 2005. Tobacco smoking still kills 64,000 in England every year and costs the North East over £2 billion a year.
Ailsa Rutter OBE, Director of Fresh and Balance, said: “No other legal product than tobacco kills 2 in 3 of its lifelong customers. This is a vital step to help the next generation avoid the death and disease and to live healthier, wealthier lives in the future.”
Cancer survivor Sue Mountain, 60, from South Tyneside, said: “It is far better and easier to prevent addiction in the first place. I still kick myself for ever starting – I think of the cost, the cancer and the years spent trying to quit.
“When you’re young, you never think you’re going to end up addicted, or how smoking is going to damage your life.”
Partners across the North East from local authorities to the NHS supported the Tobacco and Vapes Act while in Bill stage.
Amanda Healy, Durham County Council’s Director of Public Health and Chair of the Association of Directors of Public Health North East Network, said: “Smoking now costs our region over £2bn a year – it’s a cost felt most of all by families but it also places huge strain on the regional economy, on local authority social care budgets and on the NHS through sickness. This is a measure that will help regions like ours which are most hit by the death and disease of smoking.”
Dr Ruth Sharrock is a respiratory consultant and clinical lead for Tobacco Dependency for NHS North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board. She said: “Every day my team and I have to tell people that they have lung cancer, COPD or emphysema caused by smoking, and watch the impact that has on them as their world collapses. In my own family, my grandparents’ and parents’ generations have suffered and died from smoking related cancers, heart disease and some are living with COPD.
“The Smokefree legislation will not only completely change the landscape of the burden of disease we face in the NHS because of tobacco, but the outlook for my children’s entire generation – escaping the legacy of harm from tobacco for good.”
Judith Hedgley is Head of the Public Protection Service at Middlesbrough Council and Chair of the North East Public Protection Partnership which represents the 12 Local Authorities in the North East.
She said: “Retailers also have an important role to play in helping protect the next generation. Businesses should start preparing now to ensure staff understand the new law and the age checks needed to comply with the new law.
“With just 100 days to go, we’ll be supporting and providing advice to retailers to ensure the new law is properly implemented so we can turn this historic opportunity into a smokefree future.”
The Smokefree Generation policy has been widely supported by local authorities and NHS leaders across the North East and nationally.
The North East has a Declaration for a Smokefree Future to end the death and disease of tobacco, which is supported by local authorities, NHS Trusts and the North East and North Cumbria NHS Integrated Care Board.