McCarthy backs plans for smoking age rise and says better enforcement needed

Alliance Health Spokesperson Kieran McCarthy MLA has welcomed plans from the Executive to increase the legal smoking age and has demanded that they ensure better policing of cigarette vendors. His comments follow Sir Reg Empey saying that the Executive plans to start a consultation on the issue soon.

The Strangford MLA said: “I welcome the plans to increase the legal smoking age to 18; however, better enforcement provision simply must be made available. What’s the point of having new legislation if it will not be strictly enforced?

“Stopping our young people from getting hooked on smoking must be a real priority. If they get the message and never start smoking, they will dramatically cut the chances of poor health in later life.

“The Executive must act to not only increase the smoking age, they must give the authorities the teeth to strongly enforce this law.”

ENDS