Cigarettes. Pic: Nick Perla
Cigarettes. Pic: Nick Perla

A new law which will help restrict tobacco advertising has been backed by the health trust responsible for Lichfield and Burntwood.

The new Health Act 2009 mean that shops will no longer be allowed to display tobacco products, and enable the prohibition of sales of tobacco from vending machines.

And South Staffordshire Primary Care Trust (PCT) have backed the new law as a way to protect children and young people from the dangers of tobacco.

Dr Aliko Ahmed, Interim Director of Public Health at South Staffordshire PCT, said:

“Smoking is one of the highest causes of ill health and death in our population. Currently over 1,300 people die prematurely across the Staffordshire area as a result of being addicted to smoking – far more deaths than from road traffic accidents, suicide, falls, alcohol and drug abuse figures combined.

“We are committed to working with residents from South Staffordshire and partner organisations to strengthen tobacco control to protect children and young people from the harm caused by smoking.”

In a recent survey conducted by South Staffordshire PCT the overall number of people smoking in the area has fallen. But there is a considerable increase in the take up of smoking among younger people with one in four new smokers aged between 16 and 24 years.  The survey also revealed that one in six young people aged 14 to 15 years were regular smokers.

For information on how to stop smoking call 0800 04 34 304 or send a text message to 60777 or visit www.smokefree.nhs.uk.

Founder of Lichfield Live and editor of the site.

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Dave smokeless cigarettes
14 years ago

If a person has a health problem relating to smoking they should not be covered, and have to foot the bill themselves.