Protecting children from smoking

A CAMPAIGN to protect children from the dangers of smoking is being backed by MP for Warrington South Helen Southworth.
She called for children to be more protected from tobacco marketing at a major Cancer Research UK event in Parliament.
The MP is supporting measures contained in the Health Bill – currently going through Parliament – which will also serve the interests of smokers trying to quit.
She said: “Smoking remains the single biggest preventable cause of cancer and evidence shows that 80 per cent of smokers start before the age of 19.
“I am concerned that the law on tobacco advertising still enables the tobacco industry to promote dangerous products to children and young people through cigarette displays at the point of sale.”
She supports the charity’s campaign to put tobacco “out of sight and out of mind” by prohibiting point of sale displays.
Jean King, director of Tobacco Control at Cancer Research UK, said: “We are very grateful to Helen Southworth for supporting our campaign. It is vital that MPs support measures in the Health Bill to protect children and young people from developing a dangerous addiction.”
She said approximately 340,000 under-16s try cigarettes for the first time each year. Point of sale displays were the most important source of tobacco marketing for young people and removing them would protect children and also help adults to quit.
Pictured: Helen Southworth campaigns against tobacco.