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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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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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
Manchester-born Lord of the Rings and Titanic actor Bernard Hill dies aged 79
Danny Jones
Manchester actor, best known for roles in Lord of the Rings, Titanic, Shirley Valentine and more, has sadly died at the age of 79.
Born in Blackley near the River Irk, historically part of Lancashire, the familiar British face who often popped up in Hollywood too famously played Théoden, the King of Rohan, in the original trilogy of fantasy films as well as Captain Edward Smith in Titanic.
His death was announced by his agent Lou Coulson via the BBC, who confirmed that he passed away in the early hours of Sunday morning.
A statement from his family is expected soon and tributes are already pouring in online.
It’s with great sadness that I note the death of Bernard Hill. We worked together in John Paul George Ringo and Bert, Willy Russell marvellous show 1974-1975. A really marvellous actor. It was a privilege to have crossed paths with him. RIP Benny x#bernardhillpic.twitter.com/UPVDCo3ut8
Some images bring back a glut of memories and emotions. There are times when it feels like we are all just a pay day away from this. Surely one of the most powerful tv performances ever.
Hill studied at what is now the Manchester School of Theatre, formerly known as the Polytechnic School of Theatre and also went on to appear in the much-loved BBC drama by Alan Bleasdale, Boys from the Blackstuff, back in 1982.
Playing the character of Yosser Hughes – best-known for the line “gizza a job” – the show went on to be awarded a BAFTA for best drama series in 1983 and was ranked as the seventh best TV show ever made on a 2000 round-up by the British Film Institute
He was also due for a big return to TV screens in series two of another BBC hit, The Responder starring Martin Freeman, which begins airing at 9pm this Sunday.
Gavin and Stacey will return with a 2024 Christmas special for its final episode
Danny Jones
After some pretty big rumblings earlier this year, it’s finally been confirmed that Gavin and Stacey will be returning for a Christmas special this year and what will be its last-ever episode.
The beloved British comedy last aired back in 2019 with their previous Christmas special and fans of the show have been crying out for more ever since.
Well, it turns out they’ll be getting just one more go around the block as co-creators James Corden and Ruth Jones revealed that they have now finished writing their third and final Xmas special which will tie a festive bow on the trio of series which started all the way back in 2007.
Sharing a picture of the script on social media, the pair wrote: “Some news… It’s official!!! We have finished writing the last ever episode of Gavin and Stacey. See you on Christmas Day, BBC One. Love Ruth and James”.
However, what was actually going on was a bit of a red herring as she carefully chose to talk down any notions of another series but didn’t categorically dismiss the potential Christmas special.
In fact, she actually went on to add: “All I can say is, if there was something to say on that front, James [Corden] and I would happily announce it, we would.”
And that’s exactly what they’ve done. Well played, Nessa.
As for details surrounding the final chapter in the Gavin and Stacey story, we have very few details at this stage but fans of the iconic show will already be wondering how they might pick up from where certain threads left off.
Production companies Baby Cow, Corden’s Fulwell 73 and Jones’ Tidy Productions are all behind the special and, given the momentous occasion, it will likely have a primetime slot on the TV guide when it finally rolls around this holiday season.
So get your remotes, baubles and bhunas at the ready because Gavin and Stacey is coming back for one last time and it’s sure to be a TV event that people all across the UK will remember for years to come.