Smokefree North West is urging Wirral MPs to support essential new measures to prevent children and young people taking up smoking.

MPs will vote on October 12 on proposals to remove the display of tobacco at the point of sale and restrict young people’s access to cigarette vending machines, as part of the Health Bill.

There are 83,600 young smokers in the North West and 132 deaths from smoking related illness in Wirral every week.

Dr Janet Atherton, chairman of Smokefree North West, believes the introduction of new legislation will help prevent young people from starting smoking.

She said: “Smoking remains the single biggest preventable cause of premature death, killing more people than alcohol, obesity, illegal drugs and road accidents put together.

“Research shows that 80% of smokers start before the age of 19. This clearly indicates that reducing the number of young people taking up smoking is the only way to help cut the number of adults suffering from smoking-related illnesses.”

Marie Armitage, Director of Public Health at NHS Wirral, said: “We believe the introduction of new legislation - to remove tobacco displays from shops and restrict sales from cigarette vending machines - will help save lives.

"MPs who vote to support the new legislation will ultimately be helping to cut the number of smoking related deaths in our area.”

“We know there is a lot of public support for the new proposals. We are also pleased to see interest from all the main political parties in proposals to restrict young people’s access to cigarettes.”

Last year, 702 people in Wirral responded to a public consultation to show their overwhelming support for the proposed measures to make smoking history for the region’s children and young people.