Cancer survivor calls for no delays in anti-smoking law

An campaigner from South Tyneside has joined the call for landmark anti-smoking legislation to become law without delay.

- by Tom Patterson

Former smoker and throat cancer survivor Sue Mountain says peers in the House of Lords must ensure a “swift passage” for the Tobacco and Vapes Bill.

She is among 1,200 public health campaigners who say an estimated 124,600 young people aged from 18 to 25 have started smoking since the legislation was first introduced last November.

The new legislation aims to create a 'Smokefree Generation' by making it illegal to sell tobacco to anyone born after January 1, 2009, and also grant the Government powers to curb the irresponsible marketing of vapes to children.

Health campaigners in the North East say 69% of people in the region support the proposals to raise the age of sale by a year each year.