Northern Ireland included in public consultation on vaping and tobacco rules

Northern Ireland will be involved in the UK-wide consultation on tobacco and vaping rules, the Department of Health has said.

The department said it has a long-standing strategic aim for a tobacco-free Northern Ireland.

In the last decade the region has seen a reduction in smoking prevalence, with adult smoking rates falling from 24% to 17% over the last 11 years.

Despite falling numbers of adult smokers, approximately 2,200 people die each year in Northern Ireland from smoking-related conditions.

The department has agreed that Northern Ireland will be included in the public consultation launched on Thursday by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to help inform future decision-making on tobacco policy and legislation.

The eight-week UK-wide consultation will cover proposals to make it illegal for anyone born on or after January 1 2009 to ever be sold tobacco products at any point in their lives.

The consultation will also include a series of proposals to clamp down on the sale and use of vapes by children and young people including restrictions on flavours, display, packaging and disposable vapes.

Comments in response to the public consultation can be given by anyone, of any age, in Northern Ireland.