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The eight new measures proposed by the government to create a ‘smokefree generation’

A public consultation on the "historic proposals" has launched today.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 12th October 2023

Plans to crack-down on youth vaping and create a “smokefree generation” have been unveiled by the government today.

After Prime Minister Rishi Sunak expressed his concern at the “worrying rise” in youth vaping, and spoke of his intent to introduce a new law to stop children who turn 14 this year or younger from ever being able to legally cigarettes during his speech at the Conservative Party Conference here in Manchester last week, a public consultation on so-called “historic proposals” to create the first ‘smokefree generation’ has now been launched.

The consultation is open to anyone of any age in the UK, and includes proposals on everything from to restricting child-friendly flavours and bright-coloured packaging of disposable vapes, to the affordability and availability of nicotine products.

The opinions of teenagers, parents, teachers, medical professionals, and academic experts are wanted.

People now have eight weeks to share their experiences and opinions, and help shape future policy on vaping and smoking.

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The eight new measures proposed by the government forming part of the consultation are:

  1. Making it an offence for anyone born on or after 1 January 2009 to be sold tobacco products
  2. Restricting the flavours and descriptions of vapes so that vape flavours are no longer targeted at children
  3. Regulating point of sale displays in retail outlets so that vapes are kept out of sight from children and away from products that appeal to them
  4. Regulating vape packaging and product presentation to ensure that neither the device nor its packaging is targeted to children
  5. Considering restricting the sale of disposable vapes
  6. Exploring further restrictions for non-nicotine vapes and other nicotine consumer products, such as nicotine pouches
  7. Exploring whether increasing the price of vapes will reduce the number of young people using them
  8. Introducing new powers for local authorities to issue Fixed Penalty Notices to enforce age of sale legislation of tobacco products and vapes
Eight new measures have been proposed by the government in a bid to create a ‘smokefree generation’ / Credit: lilartsy | Blogging Guide (via Unsplash)

Several other measures also feature in the consultation, according to the government.

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The launch of the public consultation comes after recent reports and statistics have revealed that smoking is the UK’s biggest preventable killer, as it causes around one in four cancer deaths – and 64,000 in England alone – each year, and apparently costs the economy and wider society £17 billion.

Not only that, but recent figures published by Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) have also shown that the number of children using vapes in the past three years has tripled.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has particularly expressed concern at the “worrying rise” in youth vaping / Credit: Flickr

20.5% of children aged between 11 and 17 having tried vaping in 2023, according to ASH.

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“Last week I promised to create the first smokefree generation,” Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said as he unveiled the proposals and opened the consultation today, “and I am wasting no time to deliver on that promise.

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“Our ambitious plans will reverse the worrying rise in youth vaping, while protecting our children from the dangerous long-term effects of smoking as quickly as possible.”

Featured Image – Pawel Czerwinski (via Unsplash)

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Arrest made after 14-year-old boy found in critical condition on Market Street

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Arrest made after 14-year-old boy found in critical condition on Market Street

An arrest has been made after a teenage boy was found unresponsive on Market Street in Manchester city centre.

Detectives believe that the boy, 14, was approached by seven males who stole a designer jacket from him.

Following the altercation, he went into cardiac arrest and was rushed to hospital in a critical condition.

Thankfully, the teenager is continuing to recover well.

Detectives from Manchester City Centre Criminal Investigation Department confirmed that an 18-year-old male was arrested yesterday, Thursday 20 February.

He has been arrested on suspicion of robbery and remains in police custody.

Detective Inspector Mark Astbury of GMP’s City Centre Criminal Investigation Department, said: “We hope the victim can continue his recovery following what must have been a terrifying ordeal for him.

“Officers are fully investigating all aspects of this shocking incident that has left a man with serious injuries in hospital.

“Our work doesn’t stop here, we are continuing to investigate this incident and information from the public plays an incredibly important role in our investigations and I ask that the community keep talking to us and keep sharing their concerns with us so our teams can act.”

If you have any information, contact GMP 101 or 0161 856 4305 quoting log 2854 of 16/2/25.

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Featured image: Google Maps

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Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Trials are currently underway to see if comedy could be an alternative to antidepressants as a way to reduce NHS costs.

UK tech company Craic Health has secured important funding for its ‘comedy on prescription’ project that’s aimed at helping the Government work with the comedy industry, communities, and organisations on comedy-based social prescriptions in the hope that they can solve financial struggles within the NHS.

The groundbreaking scheme uses stand-up shows and workshops to help people who are isolated, lonely, and vulnerable.

Craic believes comedy is an ‘untapped opportunity’ to improve health and wellbeing, and has a goal to make comedy easier to access, so that it can help communities experience its mental health and social benefits.

To achieve this, the company has started trialling Comedy-on-Prescription experiences in the UK – starting in London, with the potential for expansion – which includes things like curated comedy panel game show events and workshops, and general stand-up comedy shows at some of the capital’s world-famous venues.

Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials / Credit: Wikimedia Commons

“Mental health issues like loneliness, isolation, and stress are more common than ever,” the company explains.

“So much so that it’s projected that by 2030, mental health problems, particularly depression, will be the leading cause of mortality and morbidity globally, [but] in this challenging world, comedy stands out as a universal language that breaks barriers.

“Research shows that comedy and laughter have powerful effects – they bring people together, create positive connections, and make life more enjoyable.”

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Craic Health says that social prescribing, of which Comedy-on-Prescription is a part of, is all about inclusivity, which makes it making it suitable for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.

Its focus is on personalised support, tailored to individual needs and preferences.

Featured Image – Laughterama (Supplied)

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