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02/07/2008
Tobacco Sales Regulations Welcomed: BMA
Doctors in Northern Ireland have welcomed the NI Health Minister's announcement this week to raise the age for the purchase of tobacco products to 18.
Dr Colin Hamilton, Chairman of the BMA's Public Health Committee in Northern Ireland, said: "We are pleased that the NI Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey MLA, will be introducing legislation to ban the sale of tobacco products to anyone under 18.
"This will go some way to saving the lives of many people who frequently take up smoking when too young to be concerned about its life threatening consequences."
In its response to the DHSSPS recent consultation on whether or not the minimum age for the purchase of tobacco products should be raised, BMA(NI) called for it to be raised to 18.
In addition they sought for the DHSSPS to ensure smoking cessation services are adequately funded and resourced; that smoking cessation services should be targeted at high risk groups which include those in the lower socio-economic groups, pregnant mothers, those with mental health problems and children who are looked after by the state, in foster care or in institutional settings and that cigarettes should not be displayed at the point of sale and tobacco vending machines should be banned.
The BMA also wanted legislation to ban the sale of packs of 10s in cigarettes to be introduced as well as a positive licensing scheme, such as already in place for shops that wish to sell alcohol, to be introduced. This would bring tobacco sales into line with alcohol sales.
The NI Health Minister announced that the age of sale of tobacco products will rise from 16 to 18 from 1 September 2008.
The Minister said he has taken the step in an attempt to reduce the level of smoking prevalence amongst children and young people in Northern Ireland, having received 90% support for the measure during public consultation.
See: Smoke Ban For Under 18s
(BMcC)
Dr Colin Hamilton, Chairman of the BMA's Public Health Committee in Northern Ireland, said: "We are pleased that the NI Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey MLA, will be introducing legislation to ban the sale of tobacco products to anyone under 18.
"This will go some way to saving the lives of many people who frequently take up smoking when too young to be concerned about its life threatening consequences."
In its response to the DHSSPS recent consultation on whether or not the minimum age for the purchase of tobacco products should be raised, BMA(NI) called for it to be raised to 18.
In addition they sought for the DHSSPS to ensure smoking cessation services are adequately funded and resourced; that smoking cessation services should be targeted at high risk groups which include those in the lower socio-economic groups, pregnant mothers, those with mental health problems and children who are looked after by the state, in foster care or in institutional settings and that cigarettes should not be displayed at the point of sale and tobacco vending machines should be banned.
The BMA also wanted legislation to ban the sale of packs of 10s in cigarettes to be introduced as well as a positive licensing scheme, such as already in place for shops that wish to sell alcohol, to be introduced. This would bring tobacco sales into line with alcohol sales.
The NI Health Minister announced that the age of sale of tobacco products will rise from 16 to 18 from 1 September 2008.
The Minister said he has taken the step in an attempt to reduce the level of smoking prevalence amongst children and young people in Northern Ireland, having received 90% support for the measure during public consultation.
See: Smoke Ban For Under 18s
(BMcC)
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14 March 2012
NI Smokers Urged To Quit
People are being urged to kick their smoking habit to mark the official No Smoking Day 2012 following claims that 24% of NI's adult population smoke. According to recent statistics smoking still kills almost 2,300 people each year in Northern Ireland and leaves thousands more are living with debilitating illnesses as a result of their addiction.
NI Smokers Urged To Quit
People are being urged to kick their smoking habit to mark the official No Smoking Day 2012 following claims that 24% of NI's adult population smoke. According to recent statistics smoking still kills almost 2,300 people each year in Northern Ireland and leaves thousands more are living with debilitating illnesses as a result of their addiction.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A cloudy day with outbreaks of mainly light rain at times, although there may be the odd heavier burst. Driest in the south and east during the afternoon. Moderate southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:Staying cloudy throughout the evening and overnight period with a little rain or drizzle at times. Mild overnight with light winds. Minimum temperature 7 °C.
