Tobacco legislation 'step in right direction'

BMA Northern Ireland has welcomed news that all tobacco retailers in Northern Ireland will need to be registered from this month. Health minister Simon Hamilton announced new legislation that means all businesses selling tobacco products in Northern Ireland must be registered under the Tobacco Retailers Act (Northern Ireland) 2014 from 6 April 2016. The DHSSPS (Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety) said the new legislation is part of a range of measures aimed at reducing smoking prevalence among children and young people in the country. BMA board of science member Paul Darragh welcomed the announcement. He said: ‘We have consistently campaigned for steps to reduce the harm caused by smoking and by exposure to second-hand smoke. This register is a step in the right direction, especially in relation to preventing smoking being taken up by young people.’   Manifesto measures BMA Northern Ireland’s Assembly election manifesto calls for a number of measures to reduce smoking in Northern Ireland, including: A ban on smoking in cars with children Regulation on the use of e-cigarettes Restrictions on the use of e-cigarettes in public places Creation of more smoke-free open places. Dr Darragh said: ‘Overall, we would like to make the UK tobacco free by 2035. The actions taken by DHSSPS on smoking to date have been very much welcomed and we would like to see these c...
Source: BMA News - Category: UK Health Source Type: news