Northern Ireland could be part of smoking ban bill

Northern Ireland could be included in a Westminster bill which aims to phase out the sale of cigarettes.

The bill would make it illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009 - when they turn 18.

The move, backed by the health minister, is subject to approval by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

More than 2,000 people die from smoking related illnesses in Northern Ireland every year.

The bill is part of the UK government's plan for a "smoke free generation".

"While vaping can play a role in supporting smoking cessation, the public health advice remains clear - if you don't smoke or vape, keep it that way," said Health Minister Robin Swann.

"This is particularly important for children and young people."

Treating these conditions costs the NHS in Northern Ireland more than £200m, according to the Department of Health.

Chief Medical Officer for Northern Ireland Prof Sir Michael McBride said both the human and financial costs are "simply unacceptable".

"Smoking is a life-limiting addiction. No other consumer product kills up to two thirds of its users," he said.

"These new measures will help protect people from ever starting to smoke."

Differing views on streets of Belfast

Lisa Shaw said the younger generation were "vaping more rather than going to cigarettes"

Lisa Shaw from Belfast said she thought young people would "get their hands on [cigarettes] anyway if family or friends smoke".

She added that she did not see Northern Ireland ever becoming completely smoke-free.

"It's not going to happen. People are addicted. It's not a choice. You have to buy them every day, you find the money to buy them," she said.

"Let people smoke if they want."

Ms Shaw said the younger generation were "vaping more rather than going to cigarettes".

"When I was growing up there were only cigarettes," she said.

"I smoked for 15, 20 years, and we were going for IVF treatment so I was told I wasn't allowed to smoke. So I completely stopped and bought an e-cig."

Kieran Cush vapes to avoid smoking

Kieran Cush, also from Belfast, said he did think Northern Ireland would "eventually" become smoke-free.

However he said he would not necessarily like to see that happen because "if they ban [cigarettes] they're probably going to ban vapes as well" which he has used for the past 10 years to stop him from smoking.

"I've tried all other avenues and I ended up addicted to all of them - the patches, the lozenges, the gum. I ended up on the vape and it was the only thing that kept me away from cigarettes.

"I feel personally it's less harmful. I know there's a lot of people saying it's just as harmful but I would disagree with that."