Smoking to cause 36,00 cancer cases over the next five years
It's according to new data by Cancer Research
Over 36,000 cases of cancer will be caused by smoking over the next five years.
That's according to new data from Cancer Research, who estimated tobacco is responsible for around 4,700 cancer deaths each year in the region.
It's ahead of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which will be read for the second time in the House of Commons today.
The bill would make it illegal to sell tobacco to anyone born on or after 1st January 2009. It also includes powers to extend smoke free spaces and introduce a licensing scheme for tobacco and vapes.
If the age of sale legislation has the impact the UK Government hopes then Cancer Research has found that 1.35 million fewer cigarettes will be smoked per day in the region by 2040.
Alizée Froguel is from Cancer Research and says the future generations must be protected from smoking.
She said: "I'm extremely passionate about making sure that people will not die from a preventable disease by helping people quit and stop them from starting in the first place.
"Most people who smoke started before the age of 21 and the majority want to quit and regret ever starting. And, we have an opportunity and I believe a duty to make sure the next generation aren't plagued by this deadly addiction.
"We must ensure that we have regulation in place to prevent people from starting to make, while on the other hand making sure there is support available to help those who do smoke to quit.
"I want to see a day where we longer have smoking caused cancer and we can make sure fewer people are told they have cancer because of this deadly product.