Vend of an era as ban on cigarette machines comes into force

Underage smokers will find it harder getting hold of cigarettes from tomorrow (March 1st) as cigarette vending machines are officially banned inNorthern Ireland.

The ban is welcomed by the Ulster Cancer Foundation (UCF), British Heart Foundation (BHF)Northern Irelandand Cancer ResearchUKwho successfully campaigned for the ban as the machines were an easy source of tobacco for young smokers.

Gerry McElwee, Head of Cancer Prevention, UCF said: “Sales from machines can be difficult to monitor and this is an easy way for children to access tobacco. Research that UCF carried out in the Western area showed that 13% of 15 - 16 year old smokers got their cigarettes from vending machines.  The tobacco industry relies on the recruitment of children to replace adult smokers who either quit or are killed by their smoking habit. This legislation is an important step which will help protect many of our children from a developing a fatal addiction.”

Jean King, Cancer ResearchUK’s director of tobacco control, said: “Cancer ResearchUKwelcomes the ban on sales from cigarette vending machines – these machines have always offered a ridiculously simple way for children to buy cigarettes. Trying to stop children from starting smoking is vital – eight out of ten smokers start before they’re 19, and addiction keeps them smoking into adulthood.  Tobacco kills half of all long-term users and is responsible for one in four cancer deaths, so we need to protect children from the dangers of smoking.”   

Jayne Murray, Public Affairs & Communications Manager for BHF Northern Ireland said: “Scrapping cigarette machines cuts off an easy source of tobacco for today’s young smokers and makes it harder for a new generation to start.

“But more needs to be done to tackle the harm tobacco inflicts. The tobacco control strategy recently published by the Executive was a welcome step in that direction.

“BHF, UCF and Cancer ResearchUKurge the Executive to implement the ban on tobacco displays in shops at the earliest opportunity and to support the introduction of plain cigarette packaging.”

ENDS

For further information please contact

Gerry McElwee, Head of Cancer Prevention,UlsterCancer Foundation.

Mob: 07880504577 or Office: 02890663281

Email: [email protected]

Or

Jayne Murray, Public Affairs & Communications Manager,

British Heart Foundation Mob: 07984672158 or Office: 02890538301

Email: [email protected]

Notes to Editors:

•  Smoking is the single greatest preventable cause of premature death and avoidable illness.  It kills on average six people each day inNorthern Ireland(2,300 deaths per year).
• Tobacco is one of the greatest contributors to the enormous health inequalities between rich and poor and the cost of treatment of tobacco related illness is placing an increasingly heave burden on our already stretched health service. 

• The cost of smoking to our society is high. In economic terms, the hospital cost of treating smoking related illnesses inNorthern Irelandis in the region of £119m each year. (DHSSPSNI (2012) 10 Year Tobacco Control Strategy forNorthern Ireland)

•  Research carried out by Ulster Cancer Foundation in association with  Western Education and Library Board and Public Health Agency (Western Area) (2009)

About BHF Northern Ireland

BHF Northern Ireland is your heart charity, dedicated to saving lives through pioneeringresearch, patient care campaigning for change and by providing vital information.  But we urgently need help.  We rely on donations of time and money to continue our life-saving work.  Because together we can beat heart disease.  For more information visit bhf.org.uk or join us on Facebook

About Ulster Cancer Foundation

The Ulster Cancer Foundation (UCF) is Northern Ireland’s leading local cancer charity committed to tackling cancer by supporting cancer research, providing services for cancer patients and their families and by educating people on how they can reduce their risk of the disease. All the money raised on UCF’s behalf is spent in Northern Ireland, helping to support local people with cancer.  For further information please click on www.ulstercancer.org or join us on Facebook

About Cancer Research UK

• Cancer ResearchUKis the world’s leading cancer charity dedicated to saving lives through research

• The charity’s groundbreaking work into the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer has helped save millions of lives.  This work is funded entirely by the public.
• Cancer ResearchUKhas been at the heart of the progress that has already seen survival rates in theUKdouble in the last forty years.
• Cancer ResearchUKsupports research into all aspects of cancer through the work of over 4,000 scientists, doctors and nurses.
• Together with its partners and supporters, Cancer ResearchUK's vision is to beat cancer.

 For further information about Cancer Research UK's work or to find out how to support the charity, please call 020 7121 6699 or visit www.cancerresearchuk.org