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South East takes views on tobacco advertising

Representatives from organisations across the South East, came together today to give their views on new proposals to restrict tobacco advertising in the South East and across the country. The event, organised by the South East Regional Public Health Group, looked at the main issues raised in the Department of Health consultation document 'The Future of Tobacco Control' and their impact on the South East.

The consultation document aims to start a debate around further measures that would stop people smoking and prevent young people starting to smoke. The ideas and proposals in the consultation include:
* removing branding and logos from all tobacco packaging;
* having a minimum pack size of 20 - to stop young people, who can only afford packs of 10, buying cigarettes;
* restricting access to cigarette vending machines by young people - whether by banning vending machines altogether or through systems that only allow adult purchase;
* restricting the display of tobacco products in shops. which may include putting cigarettes under the counter; and
* banning the advertising of smoking paraphernalia, such as cigarette papers.

The take up of smoking in young people is lower than a decade ago, but over 200,000 of all under 16's start smoking each year. As a result they are 3 times more likely to die of cancer due to smoking than someone who starts in their mid-20s. Professor John Newton, Regional Director of Public Health for the South East said: "It is important for parents to understand that stopping smoking will not only benefit their own health, but also help prevent future generations from suffering from the damaging effects of tobacco. I urge smokers to take advantage of the free professional NHS help available, to support them in stopping smoking."

Research has shown that children and young people are more receptive to tobacco advertising than adults, and that since the ban on tobacco advertising, prominent displays at point of sale have become vital as one of the few remaining means of tobacco promotion. Evidence suggests that this can persuade existing smokers to keep smoking and young non-smokers to start. The estimated cost to the NHS of treating smoking related illness is between £1.4 and 1.7 billion per year. Across the South East Region 20% of people are currently smokers, although in some areas this figure is much higher.

Source: nds.coi.gov.uk, 24th June 2008
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