The Government has announced it is to provide £5 million and then an additional £15 million a year thereafter to fund ongoing national tobacco anti-smoking marketing campaigns.
Designed as part of its agenda to support current smokers to quit for good, the campaigns will explain changes to the smoking laws, the benefits of quitting and the support available.
The announcement was made alongside Rishi Sunak’s pledge to create a ‘smoke-free generation’, by ending cigarette sales to those born on or after 1 January 2009.
The plans to introduce the historical new law were announced yesterday at The Conservative Party Conference, alongside a further major crackdown on the marketing of vapes to children.
The government declared its intention to launch a series of consultations looking at plans to reduce the appeal and availability of vapes to children.
Among other measures, the consultation will look at restricting the flavours and description of vapes, so vape flavours are no longer targeted at children.
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Regulation to vape packaging and product presentation will be discussed during the consultation, to ensure that neither the device, not its packaging is targeted towards children.
A change to in-store point of sale displays will also be considered, so displays can keep out of the sight of children and away from products that appeal to them, such as sweets.
In addition, further measures are thought to implemented to close the loopholes in the law which allow children to get free samples and buy non-nicotine vapes.
“While vaping is an effective tool for adults quitting smoking, we are determined to tackle the concerning surge in children vaping, driven by marketing and flavouring which appears to specifically target young people,” said health and social care secretary Steve Barclay.
Prime minister Rishi Sunak added: “I want to build a better and brighter future for our children, so that’s why I want to stamp out smoking for good.”
“These changes will mean our kids will never be able to buy a cigarette, preventing them getting hooked and protecting their health both now and in the future.”
The latest pledge follows in the wake of previous interventions such as the introduction of plain packaging on tobacco products.
