MPs back amendment that could see ‘smoking kills’ printed on all cigarettes

An amendment has been submitted to the government’s health and care bill currently being considered by parliament that could ramp up the use of graphic health warnings on cigarettes, including mandating that the ‘Smoking kills’ is printed on all individual cigarettes.

Labour MP Kelly Foy has submitted the amendment to the health and care bill.

“We know that cigarettes are cancer sticks and kill half the people who use them. So I hope that health warnings on cigarettes would deter people from being tempted to smoke in the first place, especially young people,” said Ms Foy.

Cigarette packets must already display messages such as “smoking kills” and “smoking causes cancer” as well as vivid images of people who are seriously ill with smoking-related illnesses.

The proposals are backed by Conservative MP Bob Blackman, shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth, shadow justice secretary Alex Cunningham and a number of other MPs.

The amendments would also grant the health secretary powers to raise the legal age for purchasing to 21, and ban e-cigarette firms from using sweet flavourings and cartoon characters that may encourage children to use them.

It would also allow the enforcement of a levy on tobacco companies, which could be redirected toward anti-smoking initiatives.

The proportion of adults in the UK who smoke now sits at just 14.1%, the lowest figure ever recorded.

In 1974 45% of adults in Great Britain were smokers.