Smokefree generation one step closer as Bill introduced
- A new Bill (The Tobacco and Vapes Bill) to protect future generations across the UK from the harmful impacts of smoking will be introduced to Parliament today.
- Under the Bill, children turning 15 this year or younger will never legally be able to be sold tobacco.
- The Bill also includes powers to restrict vape flavours, packaging and change how vapes are displayed in shops to protect children, as well as ‘on the spot’ fines to clamp down on underage sales of tobacco and vaping products.
- For more, please visit the GOV.UK website.
Strip searches: Watchdog urges police to be ‘proportionate’ with children
- Police officers strip-searching children should ensure they act in a sensitive and proportionate way, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) reported.
- It comes after criticism of how police strip-searched a black schoolgirl without an appropriate adult present (Child Q).
- The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) has accepted the findings, and said it was “refreshing” its officer training and addressing any regional disparities in providing appropriate adults to supervise searches.
- For more, please visit the BBC News website.
NI’s first stalking protection order marks a ‘huge milestone’
- NI’s first Stalking Protection Order (SPO) has been granted, after new powers to protect stalking victims were introduced in October.
- The new stalking orders include subjects being prohibited from contacting the named person, including being banned from entering certain areas and allows police officers to access the alleged stalker’s home to conduct risk assessments.
- The PSNI have said it “marks a huge milestone”.
- For more, please visit the BBC News website.
