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05/12/2023
Other News In Brief
PSNI Advice To Targeted Charity 'Deeply Concerning' – Alliance
Reports that the PSNI advised a charity targeted in racist attacks to liaise with loyalist community leaders have been described as "deeply concerning" by Alliance Party Policing Spokesperson Nuala McAllister MLA.
The MLA for North Belfast was speaking after a secret recording obtained by BBC Spotlight revealed the PSNI told the charity to make it clear to local loyalist leaders it was not running a mosque.
Nuala added: "This is extremely concerning and yet another blow to public confidence in policing and it is just not acceptable.
"It is completely out of order to suggest that any charity working to serve our community should be made to feel they have to justify their existence and it certainly should not be the PSNI pursuing one side of the community.
"I'll be taking this issue up at the earliest opportunity at the Policing Board and my colleague Kate Nicholl MLA will ensure this is on the agenda of the next meeting of the APG on Ethnic Minority Communities."
UUP Welcomes Consultation On Smoke-Free Generation Proposals
The Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) has welcomed the UK Government's consultation on smoke-free generation proposals.
The consultation extended to Northern Ireland allows elected representatives and constituents to highlight the concerns faced by the people of Northern Ireland.
Health spokesperson Alan Chambers MLA said: "On average, there are 2,200 smoking-related deaths per year in Northern Ireland, with increases in smoke-related diseases such as lung cancer, premature heart failure and strokes. This consultation is extremely important to help address the growing concern about smoking and, more recently, vaping. Statistics show a staggering increase in people, especially young people, who have taken up vaping, and it is essential we look at implementing greater restrictions and regulations. Vaping was intended as a short-term measure to help people quit smoking, but instead, people have now started vaping, having never smoked a cigarette before in their lives.
"Unlike cigarettes, vapes do not have the same restrictions or regulations. Each year, numbers continue to rise for how many people in Northern Ireland smoke and vape, and the age at which people start smoking or vaping is getting lower. Vape advertising has become specifically targeted to the younger generation through colourful packaging and attractive flavours and names. Whilst there are no long-term studies, as of yet, outlining the impact vaping has on individuals, we already know the short-term impacts on people suffering from health problems, including lung problems, brain development issues, as well as nicotine addiction.
"Nicotine is a very addictive substance, and once these children begin vaping or smoking, it becomes almost impossible for them to stop. With the lack of a functioning Executive and Assembly, we have not been able to discuss potential policy moves to see tighter restrictions on vapes. When Robin Swann was Health Minister, he brought forward legislation that made it illegal for under 18-year-olds to buy vapes and for proxy purchases. However, vapes are continuing to fall into the hands of young people, and a move towards a smoke-free generation may be the answer to help address these growing issues."
Troubles Payment Scheme Must Be Victim Focused – DUP
The administration of the Troubles Permanent Disablement Payment Scheme must be done with the care and support of innocent victims of terror as a priority, DUP Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has said.
The DUP representative made the call during the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee this week in Westminster, where representatives of the Victims Payment Board gave evidence.
Carla Lockhart said: "It is vital that those who continue to live with the physical and mental scars of terrorism inflicted upon them, are given the support they need by Government to live their lives.
"Getting the Scheme has been a hard fight, even having to go to court in 2020 to expose and overturn Sinn Fein's "unlawful" blocking of the pension being progressed. Together with innocent victims, we fought hard to secure a Troubles Permanent Disablement Payment Scheme in recognition and support of these victims but it is now imperative that the process works with the needs of victims to the fore.
"Whilst some victims are having their applications processed in a reasonable period of time, some are facing delays of up to 26 months still with no response. It must be remembered that for many victims, this process can retraumatise. It is too long for any applicant to go through such a prolonged process. Furthermore, we must be cognisant of the impact of both physical and psychological assessments on applicants in terms of re-traumatisation.
"This can be a challenging process, and I pressed home the need for organisations that support innocent victims of terrorism to be resourced to assist victims. Further resource is also needed to ensure awareness of the scheme is maximised not just in Northern Ireland, but right across Great Britain.
"Additionally during the session, I called on the NI Affairs Committee to engage with the Secretary of State regarding the fact that the current scheme is now over two years (August 2021). At the end of year 3 (August 2024) the backdated provision expires (payments backdated to 2008) and will no longer be awarded to claimants. It would be wholly unfair if someone submitted their application at August 2024 and they did not get the claim backdated.
"I also raised the fact that the provision on "being present at, or in the immediate aftermath of a Troubles Related Incident" is causing major difficulty particularly with former members of the Security Forces who had to attend and witness horrendous scenes whilst on duty. Yet, they are deemed as ineligible because they were "on duty" and the need for the SOS to intervene on this matter.
"It is vital that the needs of victims are addressed. This includes in the administration of the support schemes that are in place, and that we always remember the trauma and suffering of victims of terror."
Reports that the PSNI advised a charity targeted in racist attacks to liaise with loyalist community leaders have been described as "deeply concerning" by Alliance Party Policing Spokesperson Nuala McAllister MLA.
The MLA for North Belfast was speaking after a secret recording obtained by BBC Spotlight revealed the PSNI told the charity to make it clear to local loyalist leaders it was not running a mosque.
Nuala added: "This is extremely concerning and yet another blow to public confidence in policing and it is just not acceptable.
"It is completely out of order to suggest that any charity working to serve our community should be made to feel they have to justify their existence and it certainly should not be the PSNI pursuing one side of the community.
"I'll be taking this issue up at the earliest opportunity at the Policing Board and my colleague Kate Nicholl MLA will ensure this is on the agenda of the next meeting of the APG on Ethnic Minority Communities."
UUP Welcomes Consultation On Smoke-Free Generation Proposals
The Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) has welcomed the UK Government's consultation on smoke-free generation proposals.
The consultation extended to Northern Ireland allows elected representatives and constituents to highlight the concerns faced by the people of Northern Ireland.
Health spokesperson Alan Chambers MLA said: "On average, there are 2,200 smoking-related deaths per year in Northern Ireland, with increases in smoke-related diseases such as lung cancer, premature heart failure and strokes. This consultation is extremely important to help address the growing concern about smoking and, more recently, vaping. Statistics show a staggering increase in people, especially young people, who have taken up vaping, and it is essential we look at implementing greater restrictions and regulations. Vaping was intended as a short-term measure to help people quit smoking, but instead, people have now started vaping, having never smoked a cigarette before in their lives.
"Unlike cigarettes, vapes do not have the same restrictions or regulations. Each year, numbers continue to rise for how many people in Northern Ireland smoke and vape, and the age at which people start smoking or vaping is getting lower. Vape advertising has become specifically targeted to the younger generation through colourful packaging and attractive flavours and names. Whilst there are no long-term studies, as of yet, outlining the impact vaping has on individuals, we already know the short-term impacts on people suffering from health problems, including lung problems, brain development issues, as well as nicotine addiction.
"Nicotine is a very addictive substance, and once these children begin vaping or smoking, it becomes almost impossible for them to stop. With the lack of a functioning Executive and Assembly, we have not been able to discuss potential policy moves to see tighter restrictions on vapes. When Robin Swann was Health Minister, he brought forward legislation that made it illegal for under 18-year-olds to buy vapes and for proxy purchases. However, vapes are continuing to fall into the hands of young people, and a move towards a smoke-free generation may be the answer to help address these growing issues."
Troubles Payment Scheme Must Be Victim Focused – DUP
The administration of the Troubles Permanent Disablement Payment Scheme must be done with the care and support of innocent victims of terror as a priority, DUP Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has said.
The DUP representative made the call during the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee this week in Westminster, where representatives of the Victims Payment Board gave evidence.
Carla Lockhart said: "It is vital that those who continue to live with the physical and mental scars of terrorism inflicted upon them, are given the support they need by Government to live their lives.
"Getting the Scheme has been a hard fight, even having to go to court in 2020 to expose and overturn Sinn Fein's "unlawful" blocking of the pension being progressed. Together with innocent victims, we fought hard to secure a Troubles Permanent Disablement Payment Scheme in recognition and support of these victims but it is now imperative that the process works with the needs of victims to the fore.
"Whilst some victims are having their applications processed in a reasonable period of time, some are facing delays of up to 26 months still with no response. It must be remembered that for many victims, this process can retraumatise. It is too long for any applicant to go through such a prolonged process. Furthermore, we must be cognisant of the impact of both physical and psychological assessments on applicants in terms of re-traumatisation.
"This can be a challenging process, and I pressed home the need for organisations that support innocent victims of terrorism to be resourced to assist victims. Further resource is also needed to ensure awareness of the scheme is maximised not just in Northern Ireland, but right across Great Britain.
"Additionally during the session, I called on the NI Affairs Committee to engage with the Secretary of State regarding the fact that the current scheme is now over two years (August 2021). At the end of year 3 (August 2024) the backdated provision expires (payments backdated to 2008) and will no longer be awarded to claimants. It would be wholly unfair if someone submitted their application at August 2024 and they did not get the claim backdated.
"I also raised the fact that the provision on "being present at, or in the immediate aftermath of a Troubles Related Incident" is causing major difficulty particularly with former members of the Security Forces who had to attend and witness horrendous scenes whilst on duty. Yet, they are deemed as ineligible because they were "on duty" and the need for the SOS to intervene on this matter.
"It is vital that the needs of victims are addressed. This includes in the administration of the support schemes that are in place, and that we always remember the trauma and suffering of victims of terror."
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05 March 2024
NI To Be Included In New UK-Wide Anti-Tobacco And Vape Bill
Northern Ireland is to be included in a new UK-wide Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which will make it illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009. The proposed legislation will also provide powers to allow for further regulatory measures to address youth vaping.
NI To Be Included In New UK-Wide Anti-Tobacco And Vape Bill
Northern Ireland is to be included in a new UK-wide Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which will make it illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009. The proposed legislation will also provide powers to allow for further regulatory measures to address youth vaping.
14 November 2023
PHA Urges Responses To UK-Wide 'Smokefree Generation' Consultation
Northern Ireland's Public Health Agency (PHA) has welcomed a UK-wide public consultation on the development of policy to creating a 'smokefree generation'. Smoking is the single most entirely preventable cause of ill-health, disability, and death in the UK. It is responsible for around 2,200 deaths per year in Northern Ireland.
PHA Urges Responses To UK-Wide 'Smokefree Generation' Consultation
Northern Ireland's Public Health Agency (PHA) has welcomed a UK-wide public consultation on the development of policy to creating a 'smokefree generation'. Smoking is the single most entirely preventable cause of ill-health, disability, and death in the UK. It is responsible for around 2,200 deaths per year in Northern Ireland.
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'Little Difference' Between Smoking & Vaping
E-cigarettes may be just as risky as tobacco smoking in terms of their potential to cause harm in the lungs, researchers have warned. Experts at Queen's University Belfast found "little difference" between cigarette smoke and e-cigarette vapour and the changes they cause to bacteria in the lungs.
'Little Difference' Between Smoking & Vaping
E-cigarettes may be just as risky as tobacco smoking in terms of their potential to cause harm in the lungs, researchers have warned. Experts at Queen's University Belfast found "little difference" between cigarette smoke and e-cigarette vapour and the changes they cause to bacteria in the lungs.
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