Doctors are very pleased to hear that the government in England has finally decided to implement a ban on tobacco displays in shops, said the BMA Director of Professional Activities, Dr Vivienne Nathanson.
On hearing the Department of Health's announcement, Dr Nathanson said:
"Smoking is one of the biggest causes of premature death and it is essential that action is taken to help people quit and discourage young people from starting to smoke in the first place. Therefore we are very pleased to hear that the government will push ahead with measures to curb the promotion of tobacco.
"The BMA has been calling on the government for some time to implement the tobacco aspects of the 2009 Health Act that would end tobacco displays in large supermarkets from September 2011 and in smaller shops a year later. Research shows that this move will play a key role in discouraging children from smoking and will also help smokers quit. We also look forward to participating in the consultation on plain packaging for cigarettes.
On hearing the Department of Health's announcement, Dr Nathanson said:
"Smoking is one of the biggest causes of premature death and it is essential that action is taken to help people quit and discourage young people from starting to smoke in the first place. Therefore we are very pleased to hear that the government will push ahead with measures to curb the promotion of tobacco.
"The BMA has been calling on the government for some time to implement the tobacco aspects of the 2009 Health Act that would end tobacco displays in large supermarkets from September 2011 and in smaller shops a year later. Research shows that this move will play a key role in discouraging children from smoking and will also help smokers quit. We also look forward to participating in the consultation on plain packaging for cigarettes.