News from Charlotte Atkins
Labour MP for Staffordshire Moorlands

April 27 2009

Put cigarettes ‘out of sight, out of mind’ for children urges Moorlands MP

Charlotte Atkins MP has backed calls to further protect children from tobacco marketing at a major Cancer Research UK event in Parliament, where she discussed the importance of making smoking history for our children and heard from experts about the dangers of tobacco.  

The Staffordshire Moorlands Labour MP was among a large number of MPs who heard how they can take positive action by supporting measures contained in the Health Bill - currently going through Parliament - which will also serve the interests of smokers trying to quit.

Ms Atkins said: “Smoking remains the single biggest preventable cause of cancer and evidence shows that 80 per cent of smokers start before the age of 19.  I am concerned that the law on tobacco advertising still enables the tobacco industry to promote dangerous products to children and young people through cigarette displays at the point of sale.

“I support Cancer Research UK’s current campaign to put tobacco out of sight and out of mind through prohibiting these point of sale displays.  The evidence suggests that this measure would be manageable for small businesses in Staffordshire Moorlands because it could cost under £200 to refit a standard UK small retailer display.

“The lead-in time of 2013 for small retailers protects businesses as well as children, by ensuring that they have the opportunity to prepare and adjust.  The benefits for our young people and those trying to quit would be considerable.”