Kirklees public health chief has expressed delight at tougher anti-smoking rules handed down by Europe.
Dr Judith Hooper welcomed new EU directives, which include mandatory picture warnings covering two thirds of each cigarette pack and a ban on flavoured cigarettes from 2016, with menthol banned from 2022.
Other developments include new powers to bring in plain packaging and more regulation of electronic cigarettes.
Dr Hooper, Director of Public Health at Kirklees Council, said: “I am delighted at the news from the European Parliament. Around a fifth of people in Kirklees are still smokers, and we understand that smoking is a very difficult habit to break.
“These measures will support our efforts to help people stop smoking and will prevent children and young people in Kirklees from starting in the first place.”
Clr Jean Calvert, Cabinet member for Health, Wellbeing and Communities, added: “We are working hard to help adults stop smoking and to prevent children and young people from taking up the habit.
“The more we can do to support our communities to improve their health, the better.”
Officials believe the measures will encourage existing smokers to quit by clearly showing the health risks on every packet of cigarettes, as well as banning flavoured cigarettes, which help to make tobacco more attractive.
Standardised packaging will ensure that all tobacco is sold in plain, brown packaging - removing the branded packaging which is proven to be attractive to children and new smokers.
Dr Hooper, added: “Quitting smoking is the single best thing people can do for their health.
“We know that quitting isn’t easy and demands determination, but this campaign lets smokers know that they’re never alone. We want to reassure smokers that support is available to them and that they can win the battle against cigarettes.
“There’s a much higher chance of succeeding with support and this is why Kirklees is spreading the word to smokers about the range of services and resources which are locally available to them.
Get free help by signing up with www.nhs.uk/Smokefree , Tel: 0300 123 1044 or contact your local stop smoking service (Locala) on 01924 351498
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