Assembly’s Health Committee Seeks Views of Youth Assembly Members on the New Tobacco & Vapes Bill

The Assembly’s Health Committee met today with Members of the Northern Ireland Youth Assembly to seek their views on the Tobacco and Vapes Bill. The new Bill which is being brought forward by the UK government seeks the Assembly’s consent via a Legislative Consent Motion (LCM) that UK-wide provisions relating to tobacco and e-cigarettes/vapes should be extended to apply here. Today’s meeting was the first time that an Assembly Committee has worked directly with the Youth Assembly to seek their views on legislation. 

Speaking after today’s meeting, the Chairperson of the Committee for Health, Liz Kimmins MLA said: “The new Tobacco and Vapes Bill will have a very direct impact on young people here and it’s therefore crucial that we, as a Committee, take the time to meet with young people to seek their views on this proposed new law.

“Today’s meeting was arranged to encourage our Youth Assembly Members to examine all aspects of this important piece of legislation, what it will mean for them going forward and to underline that their opinions are extremely important in ensuring that this legislation is robust and fit for purpose, as well as accurately reflecting the voice of our young people”. 

The Chairperson continued: “Both myself and the other Members of the Health Committee were inspired by the knowledge, energy and enthusiasm displayed by our Youth Assembly Members today. It very much highlighted to us the importance of consulting with young people, who always bring fresh, practical and innovative ideas to the table”.

The Chairperson concluded: “I’d like to take this opportunity on behalf of the Health Committee, to thank all of the young people who took part in today’s event and for representing their peers so astutely and eloquently.

“We will ensure that the information provided today, which included, issues around the advertising of vapes on social media and how the legislation will be enforced, will be fully reflected in the Committee’s Report on this Legislative Consent Motion. We look forward to working again with the Youth Assembly in the very near future.”

ENDS

For media enquiries please contact:

Sinead Murphy

Communications Officer

Northern Ireland Assembly

Mobile: 0789 9864 368

Email: Sinead.murphy@niassembly.gov.uk  

Notes to Editor:

• A legislative consent motion is a motion which seeks the agreement of the Assembly to the United Kingdom Parliament considering provisions of a Bill which deal with a devolution matter. Further information can be found here:
• Further information about the Health Committee, its Membership and its work can be found here:
• Further information about the Youth Assembly and its work can be found here: