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Guernsey leads the way intobacco control

ASH is delighted that the Guernsey StateParliament has taken the courageous step of voting for a comprehensive package of measuresto control tobacco. The measures include:

• a ban on tobacco advertising;
  
• a substantial increase in the level of tobacco tax by at least 8.5% per annum in real terms for a minimum of 5 years;
  
• an increase in the amount of health education on smoking aimed at young people plus additional help for adult smokers wishing to quit;
  
• the raising of the age at which it is legal to purchase and possess cigarettes from 16 to 18.

Following on from her visit to Guernsey 3 weeksago to give ASH's support, Pamela Furness, Chief Executive of ASH, said: "This iswonderful news. This represents the most important precedent in tobacco control in thewestern world in recent years. Now that Guernsey has led the way on tobacco control, thereis no excuse for the UK Government not to follow suit.

"The campaign in Guernsey has clearlyupset the tobacco industry. With its back against the wall, the Channel Islands tobaccoindustry offered to pay for the Board of Health's education programme on smoking in returnfor freedom to continue promoting its deadly products to young people. The dirty tricks ofthe tobacco barons know no bounds."

ENDS

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