Cheshire and Merseyside Public Health Leaders Unite for Tighter Tobacco Laws

Public health leaders across Cheshire and Merseyside have united to urge the Government to press ahead with a parliamentary ruling aimed at stopping future generations from taking up smoking.

In a joint statement to the Government, the nine public health leaders, including Sefton’s Dr Rory McGill, and the Director of Population Health for NHS Cheshire and Merseyside are calling for the Tobacco & Vapes Bill to be passed “without delay”.

First put forward in November 2024, the Bill is set to move into its next parliamentary stage later this month. The House of Lords is scheduled to debate it during the Report Stage.

If passed, the changes will mean that people born on or after 1 January 2009 will never be able to legally buy tobacco or vapes. It is a “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunity to break the cycle of addiction and preventable illnesses caused by smoking, say those who champion the Bill.

Smoking rates for adults in some areas of Cheshire and Merseyside are reducing. However, tobacco remains the leading cause of preventable death and costs over 74,600 their lives each year.

Smoking, costing Cheshire and Merseyside alone £1.75 billion each year, including £175 million in direct health and care costs. It is estimated that, for individuals, the habit drains an average of £2,338 annually from household budgets.

Most smokers pick up the habit before the age of 18. An early start to smoking leads to greater dependency, makes it harder to quit and results in worse health.

According to independent research from the Champs Public Health Collaborative in Cheshire and Merseyside, 77% of smokers across the sub-region say they regret starting. Two-thirds say their lives would be much better if they quit.

Dr McGill, who is Sefton’s Interim Director of Public Health, said:“Smoking costs people their health, their lives and let’s not forget approaching £2,500 every year.

“Its is vital that the Tobacco & Vapes Bill is introduced as soon as possible to stop future generations buying cigarettes and suffering the devastating effects that afflict so many.

“Research tells us that the younger someone starts smoking the more likely they are to smoke in later years, so this is a great chance to break that cycle.”

Dr Sarah McNulty, Director of Public Health for Knowsley and Lead Director of Public Health for Cheshire and Merseyside’s All Together Smoke Free programme, said:“This Bill will create the first smoke-free generation, meaning today’s young people won’t have to live with the regret of starting to smoke.

“We know that public support is strong, with two-thirds of adults locally backing a smoke-free generation.

“As a group, we are calling for the Bill to swiftly pass through its Report Stage in the House of Lords, so that it can progress as soon as possible. Our message is clear: do not waste this moment.”

Among the provisions of the Bill is the extension of smoke-free rules to certain outdoor settings, such as children’s playgrounds, and outside schools and hospitals.

There will also be stricter control over advertising and promotion of tobacco, vapes and other products. Retailers will face a new registration system for tobacco, vaping and nicotine products entering the UK market, strengthening consumer safety and enforcement.

Once through its Report Stage in the House of Lords, the Bill will progress to Royal Assent before becoming law on 1 January 2027.

Prof. Ian Ashworth, Director of Population Health for NHS Cheshire and Merseyside,said:“It is simply not right that we are losing lives every day to illnesses that are entirely preventable, not to mention the astronomical cost to health and care services. However, it is possible to change this pattern with a smoke-free generation.

“Our ambition is to end smoking everywhere for everyone and this Bill will help us do that.”

Dr McGill added:“We do everything we can to urge people in Sefton to give up smoking.

“We know that for most, quitting is not easy, but the Smoke Free Sefton team can provide the support and advice that can help people successfully give up.

“More information is available atwww.smokefreesefton.co.ukor by calling the team on 0300 100 1000.”

For further information about Smoking Ends Here and local stop smoking services, visit:www.smokingendshere.com