STUNELL BACKS PLAIN CIGARETTE PACKS TO PROTECT HEALTH

Stockport MP supports the British Heart Foundation's campaign to get the UK Government to sell cigarettes in plain packaging.

Shock figures from the British Heart Foundation show that smoking still kills more people than obesity, alcohol and drugs in Stockport. Over 500 children in the town aged 10-14years old are regular smokers, more than a quarter of cancer deaths in Stockport are caused by smoking, and Stockport smokers' are worse than the national average in quitting.

Research has shown that plain packaging would reduce the amount of smokers and make it clear what health problems smoking leads to. The UK Government recently held a public consultation on this idea and people from the North West gave the strongest support.

Local MP Andrew Stunell has been working with BHF campaigners:

'Almost 700 people from Stockport have signed up to BHF's campaign for plain tobacco packaging. There is a real strength of feeling in Stockport, and the whole of the North West, to work towards a more smoke-free future.'

"Cigarette packaging is one of the last forms of marketing tobacco companies can still use to attract new customers. Australia is leading the way and if we care about the health of people in our community then we should introduce plain, standardised packs in the UK and help stop the next generation of smokers being recruited."

Tracey Paul, Advocacy Manager at the British Heart Foundation, said: "Smoking kills over 100,000 people every year and smokers are twice as likely to have a fatal heart attack as someone who's never smoked. (2)

"Scientific evidence shows that removing the glitzy designs from cigarettes packs makes them less attractive. We should introduce legislation on plain, standardised packaging and stop this lethal product being marketed to young people."