IPH recently responded to a UK consultation on creating a smokefree generation and tackling youth vaping.

In October the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) in England published a command paper ‘Stopping the start: our new plan to create a smokefree generation’, setting out proposed action to protect future generations from the harms of smoking by creating the first smokefree generation, which the UK Government and devolved administrations (including the Northern Ireland Executive) consulted on. 

The UK consultation asked questions in the following three areas for which new legislation would be needed: creating a smokefree generation, tackling youth vaping, and enforcement.

IPH has developed a response to this consultation with a focus on Northern Ireland and in the context of all-island tobacco endgame ambitions.

Tobacco causes around 2,200 deaths in Northern Ireland every year. Tobacco-related illness, disability and death requires a robust response with short-term, medium term and long-term strategic actions. Regular use of e-cigarettes is increasing among children in Northern Ireland and measures are required to reduce the appeal and accessibility of e-cigarette products to children.

The regulatory measures proposed in this consultation are necessary, proportionate, feasible, equitable and supported by both evidence and public opinion.