NEW powers which will pave the way for a ‘smoke-free generation’ to be created are set to come into effect - and the town’s three MPs have all backed the scheme which will ban the sale of tobacco to youngsters.
Under the Tobacco and Vapes Bill anyone born on or after January 1, 2009 will never be able to be legally sold tobacco in an effort to save lives and reduce the burden on the NHS.
Its long journey began when it was introduced in November 2024 and ended last Tuesday, when the House of Lords approved amendments made by MPs.
Barnsley North’s Dan Jarvis, Barnsley South’s Stephanie Peacock and Penistone and Stocksbridge’s Marie Tidball - who have all voted in favour - believe it will end the sale of tobacco products altogether over time and break the cycle of addiction and the disadvantages associated with tobacco, such as soaring hospital admissions.
Dan told the Chronicle: “Labour’s Tobacco and Vapes Bill has been widely welcomed, including by Cancer Research UK, the British Heart Foundation, and Asthma + Lung UK.
“Prevention is better than the cure and this legislation will protect the next generation from addiction and disease.
“It will do that by taking sensible action - now - to help to save lives in the future.”
The idea was originally proposed by Rishi Sunak’s Conservative government but was taken forward by Labour after previous legislation ran out of time to pass.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting said: “This is a historic moment for the nation’s health as the Tobacco and Vapes Bill ends its journey through Parliament.
“Children in the UK will be part of the first smoke-free generation, protected from a lifetime of addiction and harm.
“Prevention is better than the cure - this reform will save lives, ease pressure on the NHS, and build a healthier Britain.”
It will bring in a total ban on vape advertising and sponsorship which will include displays that will likely be seen by children and young people such as on buses, in cinemas and in shop windows.
Vapes will also be banned in vending machines, where they can be easily accessed by children.
Smoking leads to 400,000 hospital admissions and 64,000 deaths a year in England alone and costs the NHS £3bn in treatments for tobacco-related illnesses such as cancer and heart disease. It is estimated to involve total costs to society of between £21.3bn and £27.6bn a year in England, mainly through lost productivity.
Marie added: “Smoking remains the leading preventable cause of death in the UK.
“Just this week, new research found that since 2012, the health of the UK’s population is getting worse, with deep health inequalities across our country as a key factor to this decline.
“The Tobacco and Vapes Bill is lifesaving legislation, by protecting young people from ever starting to smoke, and giving record levels of support to current smokers to quit for good.
“This is crucial to narrow the unacceptable health inequalities gap and to create a smoke-free generation.
“This new law marks a turning point for our nation’s health, supporting the shift from sickness to prevention and helping people life longer, healthier lives.”
