'I kick myself for ever starting' - South Tyneside cancer survivor backs new smoking law
The measure is expected to protect up to 4 million young people.
A South Tyneside cancer survivor is backing a new law aimed at stopping the young from taking up smoking.
On January 1, 2027 the Tobacco and Vapes Act takes effect, when it will be illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone born after 2008. The age of sale will then increase by one year every year, eventually phasing out tobacco sales across the UK.
Future generations in the North East will be protected from ever being legally sold tobacco, which kills two in three lifelong smokers.
Supporters say 64% of people in the North East back the policy, while 79% of people who smoke in the North East say they regret ever starting and 71% wish they could quit.
Smoking has killed more than 8 million people in the UK since 1970. The measure is expected to protect up to 4 million young people across Great Britain from being sold lethal tobacco within the next five years, helping to prevent more people dying from lung cancer, COPD and heart disease in the future.
In the North East 10.2% of adults currently smoke – but the region has seen the highest fall in smoking in England from 29% in 2005. Tobacco smoking still kills 64,000 in England every year and costs the North East over £2 billion a year.
Cancer survivor Sue Mountain, 60, from South Tyneside, said: “It is far better and easier to prevent addiction in the first place. I still kick myself for ever starting – I think of the cost, the cancer and the years spent trying to quit.
“When you’re young, you never think you’re going to end up addicted, or how smoking is going to damage your life.”
Judith Hedgley, chair of the North East Public Protection Partnership, said: “Retailers also have an important role to play in helping protect the next generation.
“Businesses should start preparing now to ensure staff understand the new law and the age checks needed to comply with the new law.
“With just 100 days to go, we’ll be supporting and providing advice to retailers to ensure the new law is properly implemented so we can turn this historic opportunity into a smokefree future.”