News
Under-25s could be banned from buying cigarettes in England soon
The plans come as part of the government’s pledge to make England a ‘smoke free nation’ by 2030
People under the age of twenty-five could soon be banned from buying cigarettes in England under the government’s bid to become a ‘smoke free nation’ by 2030.
The plans comes courtesy of Javed Khan, the former chief executive of children’s charity Barnardo’s, who is leading an independent review of the government’s ambition to make England smoke-free by the end of the decade.
Khan’s review is also looking at whether advertising campaigns on social media platforms used by young people – such as TikTok and Instagram – could be key to changing attitudes to smoking.
He told The Times that if ‘nothing different is done’ in the approach to curbing the use of cigarettes, then this target would not be met.
Khan explained: “We are thinking seriously about the age of sale… Just look at the Covid experience, mass marketing has a big effect, it really works.
“The government went hell for leather, it made an enormous difference in vaccination rates.”
He is expected to present his findings on April 22nd.
Health secretary Sajid Javid, who commissioned the review, said in a statement on the government’s website: “The pandemic has shown the resilience of the British public and brought communities together to look after each other in the most challenging times.
“But it has also exposed chasms in our society – particularly in health.
@julez97 / Unsplash
“I am very pleased to be leading this review into such an important area of public health.
“My independent findings will help highlight key interventions which can help the government achieve its ambitions to be smoke free by 2030 and tackle health disparities.”
Last year, five British councils – Manchester included – banned smoking in pavement dining areas outside pubs, bars and restaurants in their own attempt to combat the habit before 2030.
The government first announced its pledge to make England ‘smoke-free’ by 2030 in 2019. Smoke-free status is officially recognised by the Government when 5% or less of an area’s population are smokers.