Maggie Throup OBE MP, Member of Parliament for Erewash is delighted with the news that the Government has introduced groundbreaking legislation, through the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, that will create a smokefree generation by tackling smoking and youth vaping.
Maggie, a former Health Minister, has been a vocal advocate of the UK’s Smoke Free 2030 ambition. She has long been campaigning for the Government to introduce legislation that tackles smoking and the rise of underage vaping. On 20th March the Tobacco and Vapes Bill was introduced in the House of Commons.
Smoking is the UK’s single biggest preventable killer and around 19 per cent of adults in Erewash smoke. It is highly addictive, with 4 in 5 smokers starting before the age of 20 and remaining addicted for the rest of their lives. This puts huge pressure on the NHS, with someone admitted to hospital with a smoking-relating condition almost every minute in England.
Maggie said:
Smoking is the UK’s single biggest preventable killer and costs the NHS and the economy an estimated £17 billion a year. Throughout my time in Parliament and as a Health Minister, I campaigned tirelessly for the Government to take tougher action on smoking and vaping.
I am delighted that the Government has listened to my concerns and has introduced groundbreaking legislation that will create a smokefree generation and tackle underage vaping. The Tobacco and Vapes Bill is the single biggest public health intervention in a generation.
The Bill contains measures which will mean that children turning 15 or younger this year will never be legally sold tobacco. It also introduces new powers to restrict the marketing of vapes, ensuring that they are only ever used as an aid to quit smoking and not as a fashion accessory or confectionary used by children.
I look forward to scrutinising further elements of the Bill in due course. I hope MPs from across the House of Commons will back this Bill as doing so will highlight that the UK is a world leader in tackling smoking.”
The Tobacco and Vapes Bill will have its Second Reading in the House of Commons in the near future. Progress of the Bill can be followed online here.