Smokefree East launched its "round the corner" campaign

Smokefree East launched its "round the corner" campaign on 17th April. Its aim is to help smokers get off cigarettes by offering free NHS stop smoking services throughout the region. Smokers are up to 4 times more likely to quit successfully if they combine professional counselling and medication. To find out the nearest NHS stop smoking services, ring 0800 111 4747.

To coincide with the launch, smokers were invited to a free lung functioning test at Asda in Cambridge. Camquit, NHS stop smoking services in Cambridgeshire were at hand to offer information about their services. Chest physicians from Addenbrookes gave advise to smokers about how they can reduce harm caused by smoking. Read the press release here.

In 2004, the Government announced in its White paper Choosing Health that it would take action to prevent young people buying tobacco through strengthening sanctions against retailers who repeatedly sell tobacco to young people that are under the legal age. Retailer sanctions were the subject of consultation in 2006. As a result of that consultation, the Government introduced new legislation that was the subject of extensive Parliamentary debate earlier this year.

The new legal sanctions agreed by Parliament come into force on the 1st April 2009.

The purpose of this legislation is to tackle the persistent illegal sale of tobacco products to young people under the age of 18 years. It is envisaged that the sanctions available are likely to be used only in extreme circumstances and only where there has been evidence of previous illegal sales.

LACORS have kindly prepared a briefing about this legislation. Click here to find out more