Reporter SIMON HUGHES looks at the implications.


The Government has announced plans to launch a consultation in the coming months to examine ways to discourage youngsters from smoking.

Its latest idea to reduce the number of children who smoke is to ban cigarette displays in shops.

Despite the latest figures showing that the number of smokers is falling, the Government wants to discourage more children from smoking by preventing them from seeing cigarette advertising on packaging in shops.

The proposal is the latest in a long line of initiatives to encourage people to give up the addiction.

Last July smoking in pubs and clubs in England was banned, while in October the legal minimum age to buy cigarettes was raised from 16 to 18.

The Department of Health will consider the proposal after launching a consultation later this spring, but smoking experts seem to think it's a good idea.

Gail Addison, who manages the stop smoking support service at Northamptonshire Primary Care Trust, said: "An attempt to reduce any advertising of tobacco is welcomed by our service.

"My personal view is this will be another way that the Government is trying to 'de-normalise' smoking in our society. Young people are more likely to think smoking is more common than it is. I do think it will work. Anything that takes it out of our awareness will have an impact on everyone, not just young people."

The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics, shows the proportion of adults who smoke has dropped from 24 per cent to 22 per cent, while nine per cent of 11 to 15-year-olds smoke.

Colleen Rattigan, health improvement officer at Corby Council, said: "I think it's really positive. They are still available if people want to buy them but it will help people who are trying to give up."


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