The sales of cigarettes to teenagers could be banned in Britain by 2030 after recommendations by an All Party Parliamentary Group.
After earlier warnings by Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty that the “tobacco epidemic” could likely kill more people this year than COVID-19, the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Smoking and Health has urged the UK government to commit to the actions needed to ensure the country is smoke-free by the end of the decade.
This includes raising the legal age of cigarette purchase from 18 to 21.
Under the proposals, tobacco companies would be subject to a “polluter pays” law amendment to prevent children and young people from taking up the habit, and to help smokers quit.
While the UK government has committed to achieving a smoke-free society by 2030 – which would mean that fewer than 5% of the adult population smokes – the cross-party group of MPs and peers said it must now commit to stronger actions that are needed to secure its vision.
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A smoke-free country would mean that fewer than 5% of the adult population smokes / Credit: Flickr
Bob Blackman – Chairman of the APPG – said: “Our report sets out measures which will put us on track to achieve the government’s ambition to end smoking by 2030, but they can’t be delivered without funding.
“Tobacco manufacturers make extreme profits selling highly addictive, lethal products, while government coffers are bare because of COVID-19.
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“The manufacturers have the money, they should be made to pay to end the epidemic.”
As well as raising the legal cigarette purchase age, the APPG has also called for targeted investment in the regions and communities where smoking does the most damage to provide extra support that helps smokers quit.
The group said this would include people who are in routine and manual jobs, unemployed, living in social housing, or who have a mental health condition or are pregnant.
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More than three quarters (76%) of the public support the smoke-free 2030 ambition / Credit: Flickr
The APPG’s report suggests widespread public support for such recommendations, which have been backed by health charities and medical groups – with more than three quarters (76%) of the public backing the smoke-free 2030 ambition.
Some 77% of respondents also support the polluter pays levy, while 63% endorsing the increased age of cigarette sales from 18 to 21.
Just days after it was revealed that Oxfordshire would be the first county in the UK to prohibit smoking at outdoor hospitality as part of a major strategy to make the county smoke-free by 2025, Manchester was joined by four other fellow Northern councils – North Tyneside, Durham, Newcastle and Northumberland – by including rules in their licensing agreements.
You can find more information about Smoke-Free 2030 here.
UK News
A much-loved Manc grassroots venue is hosting a live screening of The Traitors final
Danny Jones
A beloved grassroots venue here in Manchester city centre is holding a big screening of this year’s The Traitors final.
Consider already there with bells, whistles and a big hood on.
Yes, following the return of The Traitors mainline show this month, not to mention even more versions of the show landing on the BBC in 2026, we’re expecting record-breaking numbers of viewers for this year’s highly anticipated ‘Grand Final’.
With that in mind, Manc favourite arts and entertainment venue, Fairfield Social Club (FSC), will be playing The Traitors season four final on the big screen.
You do not want to miss this, and we don’t just mean the episode: we’re talking about the unparalleled and often unhinged vibes at Fairfield.
Having been to plenty of live events at FSC over the past 18 months or so, from live viewing parties and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia quizzes to nights out with other social clubs and community organisations, we can personally vouch for their hosting chops.
As for this particular watchalong, they’ve promised they’re “going all in for The Traitors Finale 2026, live on the FSC big screen with a full crowd, big reactions and plenty of drama.”
With the team set to deliver a full pre-show Traitors quiz with plenty of prizes up for grabs, and even free drinks for anyone who turns up in a cloak or top-notch Claudia Winkleman fancy dress, there are so many reasons to make this gaff the place you choose as your venue for the final.
We’ll also be making sure to attend their upcoming Lily Allen line-dancing show, because we’re still obsessed with West End Girl.
Like with The Traitors final, don’t worry, they’ve done this dance MANY times before.
Honestly, this place never disappoints when it comes to variety or enjoyment.
As if any of the above wasn’t already convincing enough for you, tickets are just a fiver, and they also include a welcome drink. Doors will open 6pm, and seating plans are simply first-come first first-served.
Not only is that a great deal across the board, but it’s also probably one of the cheapest drinks you’ll find in town these days…
If you fancy joining in the chaos and inevitable chorus of gasps when the Grand Final goes live, you can grab your tickets for the conclusion of this season’s Traitors at Fairfield Social Club right HERE – and we promise you that it will sell out fast.
Featured Images — Publicity pictures (via BBC)/Fairfield Social Club (supplied)
UK News
The Boots recycling scheme where you can get £5 off every shop
Thomas Melia
UK high street retailer and healthcare shop Boots has launched an innovative recycling scheme that entitles customers to £5 off their future shopping trips.
If you’re still struggling to come up with a New Year’s resolution, why not try a spot of recycling and earn some money off your next cosmetics shop while you’re at it?
Started in 2020, the Boots Recycling Scheme allows Advantage Card holders the opportunity to get money while also being more conscious about how we recycle our used health and beauty products.
Their third-party app, Recycle at Boots, uses a ‘Scan2Recycle‘ system where users can upload items from various beauty brands by taking a picture of the empty packaging before identifying its form.
This scheme takes items that can’t usually be recycled at home, such as lotion pumps, toothpaste tubes, lipstick, mascaras, travel minis, make-up palettes and more.
Once you have five items approved, head over to your nearest participating Boots store, drop off your empties and scan the QR code on the deposit box.
After you’ve followed all these steps, a voucher will appear entitling you to 500 Advantage Points when you spend £10 in-store at your nearest location, and not only do you have £5 worth of points with your name on it, you’re also an eco-warrior.
There’s even a dedicated section of the app to recycling empty medicine and vitamin blister packs, which gives customers 100 Advantage Points when they spend £5 in-store.
Brilliant.
Credit: Publicity pictures (supplied)
Items dropped into these deposit boxes are taken to MyGroup, a recycling and waste management service which works around the clock to help divert waste from landfill.
These empties will be washed and traditionally recycled into a material called MyBoard, a construction board material most similar to plywood, with lots of different uses.
Nearest Boots locations in Manchester running the Recycle at Boots scheme:
Manchester Market Street – 32 Market Street, M1 1PL
Salford Regent Park – Regents Park, M5 3TP
Manchester Didsbury – 736-740 Wilmslow Road, M20 2DW
The Trafford Centre – 10 Peel Avenue, M17 8BD
Trafford Retail Park – Neary Way, M41 7FN
If you’re up for getting money off your next Boots splurge while also helping recycle cosmetics containers and more, you can download the Recycle at Boots app and find your nearest HERE.
The Manc -
9th June 2021 
