I have just written to the new Secretary of State for health, Andy Burnham MP demanding a total ban on cigarette vending machines.
We don't allow alcohol, fireworks, knives or other age restricted products to be sold from vending machines because we know a face-to-face transaction is the best way to make sure they don't end up in the wrong hands.
Cigarettes should be no different. We need to tackle this anomaly which allows children an easy way get hold of cigarettes and damage their health.
The Health Bill, currently going through Parliament, includes further restrictions on cigarette vending machines but stops short of a full ban
I urge you to support this campaign and visit www.bhf.org.uk/outoforder where you can let the Government know they must prevent children picking up an addiction that threatens their future health.
I hope you place this campaign in your newspapers and things. I really wish, and hope so, as my granda died not that long ago. He got cigs from vending machines at a very young age, so when he was older, he got cancer. It has made me never want to try a cigarette ever!
Chloe Robinson
Aged 12
