Show your support for a Smokefree Future

In October 2023, the Government launched an eight-week UK-wide consultation to stop the start of new smokers – as a vital first step to create a smokefree generation.

Tobacco remains the single most important preventable cause of ill health, disability, and death in the country, responsible for 3,900 deaths in Greater Manchester each year and more than 24,000 hospital admissions to treat smoking-related illnesses. No other consumer product kills up to 2 in 3 users.

Figures show:

Most smokers start as teenagers with 83% smoking before the age of 20
Three quarters of smokers would never have started if they had the choice again
Smokers who start younger have higher levels of tobacco dependency and suffer a worse risk of lung cancer and heart disease during their lives
8 in 10 Greater Manchester adults support ending smoking – including half of smokers – with a target of fewer than 5% smoking by 2030

The Government has now announced its plans to introduce a range of measures to protect children and young people from the harms of smoking.

This includes the introduction of a new law to stop children who turn 15 this year or younger from ever legally being sold cigarettes and banning disposable vapes.

The Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which will introduce the measures to support the Prime Minister’s pledge to create a smokefree generation, had its second reading and first vote in Parliament on Tuesday 16th April. MPs voted overwhelmingly in favour of the Bill with 383 votes for to 67 against.

This marks a huge milestone in making smoking history, but there is still a long way to go, so we need your support.

Here’s how you can get involved:

Write to your MP using our letter template for Directors of Public Health – see resources below.
Show your support in the media using our PR and social media guide – see resources below.
Use the DHSC smokefree generation communications toolkit.