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Tag: Northern Ireland

  • Northern Ireland Moves Toward Generational Ban

    Northern Ireland Moves Toward Generational Ban

    Yesterday (February 10), Northern Ireland moved a step closer to a generational tobacco ban with Members of the Legislative Assembly voting in favor of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill. The bill would progressively raise the age to buy tobacco, meaning that people born after December 31, 2008 would never be able to purchase it legally.

    The bill is currently going through the Westminster legislative process, and as health is a devolved matter, each devolved legislature votes on whether they consent to pass the bill in their nation through a Legislative Consent Motion (LCM). The bill was first introduced in May 2024, however, because of the general election, had to be introduced by the new UK Government, and needed a second LCM to take place. 

    “To achieve a smoke-free UK, we also need to start the stop of smoking, ensuring that people who currently smoke have access to the support they need to quit,” Smokefree UK said in a statement. “We’ll continue to fight for this vital legislation to be implemented in Northern Ireland and across the rest of the UK and together, we can help end cancers caused by smoking.”

  • Northern Ireland to Adopt Generational Ban

    Northern Ireland to Adopt Generational Ban

    Stormont (Credit: Vivacity Images)

    Northern Ireland will participate in the U.K. generational tobacco ban.

    The U.K. Tobacco and Vapes Bill aims to phase out the sale of cigarettes. It would make it illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone born on or after Jan. 1, 2009, after they turn 18.

    It would also provide powers to address vaping among young people. The bill is part of the U.K. government’s plan for a “smoke-free generation,” according to the BBC.

    The Northern Ireland Assembly endorsed a legislative consent motion on May 21 to allow the bill to apply to Northern Ireland.

    Northern Ireland Health Minister Robin Swann said the bill aims to “stop people from ever starting to smoke, thus preventing a lifetime of addiction.” He dismissed arguments that the legislation is “nanny statism” and would deny people “freedom of choice.”

    On vapes, he said the bill includes regulation-making powers to allow for future restrictions on vape flavors, packaging and point-of-sale displays. The bill is progressing through Parliament despite opposition from several leading Tory figures.

  • Ulster Bans Smoking in Cars with Children

    Ulster Bans Smoking in Cars with Children

    Photo: Nenov Brothers

    Northern Ireland has banned smoking in a car with children, bringing its laws in line with other regions of the United Kingdom, reports the BBC.

    Violators face fines of up to £2,500 ($3,391), but police will be taking an educational, advisory and non-confrontational approach when enforcing the new legislation until the end of February 2022.

    It is already illegal to smoke on public transport or to smoke in work vehicles used by more than one person in Northern Ireland.

    Chief Inspector Graham Dodds said people caught smoking in cars with children would initially be given warnings rather than fines, giving time for public awareness of the offences to build.

    Health advocates welcomed the new laws as a “significant move to a tobacco-free Northern Ireland.” Naomi Thompson, from Cancer Focus NI, said the laws would protect children’s health and reduce the perception for children that smoking is normal behavior.

    A ban on smoking in vehicles carrying children has been in force in England and Wales since October 2015. In Scotland and the Republic of Ireland, a ban took effect in 2016.

    Northern Ireland also banned the sale of e-cigarettes and other nicotine inhaling products to anyone aged under 18.