Chiefs at Dudley Council have welcomed Government plans to create a smoke free generation in England and they have pledged that the local authority will play its part.

The council’s public health team already helps hundreds of people to quit smoking every year through its smoking cessation service and the trading standards team plays a key role in the enforcement of cigarettes, tobacco and vape product sales.

Under government proposals, the legal age of smoking will rise every year so that eventually no-one can buy tobacco.

All local authorities will be given additional funding from central government to help with education, enforcement and increase their smoking cession service provision.

Dudley Council is expected to receive £6,000 per annum initially, with funding expected to increase over time. Councillor Patrick Harley, leader of Dudley Council, said:

“As a local authority that prioritises the health and wellbeing of our residents, we are ready to support these proposals.

“Smoking is currently linked to one in every four diagnoses of cancer in the UK but the government’s announcement will mean children who are now 14 will never be able to legally buy cigarettes.”

Councillor Ian Bevan, cabinet member for public health added: “I wholeheartedly welcome these latest proposals from the government and we look forward to doing our bit for the people of Dudley borough.

“Quitting smoking is the biggest step any person can take to boosting their short- and long-term health, and we already do a huge amount of work to help people who want to stop smoking in Dudley borough.

“Rogue traders should also be warned that we will continue to clamp down on cigarettes and vapes being illegally to young people.”

People can find out more about quitting smoking in Dudley at the Let’s Get website at lets-get.com