The British Dental Association (BDA) is encouraging its member dentists to play a part in the campaign to put tobacco out of sight in shops and end the sale of tobacco from vending machines.
As a member of the Smokefree Action Coalition, the BDA is one of more than 80 healthcare organisations backing the campaign.
The Smokefree Action Coalition is campaigning to put tobacco out of sight in shops and end the sale of tobacco from vending machines in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The Government’s Health Bill 2009 contains measures to prohibit the display of tobacco from the point of sale in order to protect children from tobacco industry marketing and promotion.
The Bill also includes measures to restrict the sale of tobacco from vending machines to minors with future powers to allow the Government to ban the sale of tobacco from vending machines.
A spokesperson said: ‘We would like to see the Government adopt the strongest measure possible and implement a complete ban straight away as international evidence shows this is the most effective way of restricting young people’s access to tobacco.
‘You can help make a difference. Please write to your MP urging them to support the ban on the display of tobacco at the point of sale, highlighting the impact of smoking on patients you see.’
You can find your MPs details at www.writetothem.com.
The BDA says: ‘Use the template letter provided below to send to your MP. Be sure to include your address and postcode to show that you are a constituent and any details of your personal experience – personalisation should ensure that your MPs listens and addresses your concerns.
The BDA asks that once a dentists has received a response from their MP, that they let the BDA’s Public Affairs Officer, Laura Brandon, know of the correspondence.
You can email her at [email protected].
