South West leaders push for urgent approval of Tobacco Bill
Regional leaders call for swift action to address tobacco-related deaths
Leaders from every local authority in the South West have joined forces to advocate for the immediate passage of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill.
They represent nearly six million residents and argue that postponing the legislation could result in preventable deaths and convey a message of tolerance towards such fatalities.
In a joint letter to Ashley Dalton MP, Minister for Public Health and Prevention, they urge the Government to avoid amendments that could weaken the Bill and to secure its Royal Assent before the parliamentary session concludes.
Smoking, identified as the primary preventable cause of death in the region, claims over 6,500 lives each year—averaging more than 17 deaths per day.
Although smoking prevalence has decreased, statistics show more than 520,000 adults in the South West continue to smoke, notably in the region’s poorest areas.
Benji Hadwell, South West Smokefree Lead, emphasised the significance of passing the Bill immediately rather than viewing it as a future measure for 2027.
Hadwell said: "This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to end the harms of tobacco for good. The leaders responsible for the well-being of the South West are united. We see the heartbreak of families losing loved ones and the heavy burden placed on our NHS. We are calling on Parliament to pass this Bill swiftly and decisively."
The letter underscores support for the Smokefree Generation policy, which would prohibit selling tobacco to any child born on or after 1st January 2009.
Polls by Action on Smoking and Health reveal that 70% of adults in the South West endorse the policy, with over 90% backing smoking bans in certain areas like children’s play areas and school grounds.
Despite this support, the leaders express concern over declining public confidence, as around half of adults feel the Government is insufficiently tackling smoking.
County representatives from Bath & North East Somerset, Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole, Bristol, Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Isles of Scilly, North Somerset, Plymouth, Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Swindon, Torbay, and Wiltshire have urged the Government to resist compromise and prevent delays or dilution of the Bill.
Jenna Ho Marris, North Somerset Council’s Cabinet Member for Homes and Health, added, “Smoking does so much more harm than any of us thinks, and the impacts cross generations – I know this from my family's experience. Please don't delay, we need the Government and our MPs to put children's health first, and not the profits of the global tobacco industry.”
You can read the full draft Bill - which is currently in the Report Stage in the House of Lords - here.