GRAPHIC MESSAGES There are over 2,000 smoking-related deaths in Northern Ireland every year. These are avoidable. The government is now running a consultation around creating a smoke-free generation and tackling youth vaping. Make your voice heard and complete the survey at www.pha.site/smokefreeconsultation Have you had your say? The government is running a consultation on creating a smoke-free generation and tackling youth vaping. Don’t miss your chance to give your input. Find out more at www.pha.site/smokefreeconsultation Make your voice heard on the government’s ‘smoke-free generation’

Smoking is the single most entirely preventable cause of ill-health, disability, and death in the UK. It is responsible for around 2,200 deaths per year in Northern Ireland. No other consumer product kills up to two-thirds of its users. On 4 October 2023, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) published a command paper ‘Stopping the start: our new plan to create a smokefree generation’ setting out proposed actions to help protect future generations from the harms of smoking by creating the first “smokefree generation”, which the UK government and devolved administrations are now

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is reminding everyone of the dangers of vaping unregulated substances as it has again received information about young people becoming ill after vaping ‘spice’. Reports have suggested that those affected thought they were purchasing THC or cannabis oil, but they were unknowingly supplied with and had taken the synthetic drug ‘spice’, the effects of which required hospital treatment. All drugs, whether illegal drugs or prescription medication, carry risks. The PHA strongly recommends that you do not take anything unless it has been prescribed to you by a medical