UK MPs to Vote on Landmark Tobacco and Vapes Bill

In a significant move towards creating a smoke-free generation, UK Members of Parliament (MPs) will vote on the world-leading Tobacco and Vapes Bill on November 26. The Bill aims to shield the next generation from the harms of smoking and vaping by introducing a range of measures, including restrictions on vape advertising, flavours, packaging, and shop displays.

Ambitious Plans to Curb Youth Vaping

The Tobacco and Vapes Bill places a strong emphasis on protecting children from the dangers of vaping. Subject to consultation, the Bill proposes to:

Ban the sale of vape flavours that overtly appeal to children, such as bubble gum, gummy bear, and cotton candy
Restrict vape packaging designed to attract young people
Prohibit vape advertising and sponsorship, including displays visible to children and young people on buses, in cinemas, and in shop windows
Close loopholes on non-nicotine vapes and nicotine pouches by banning the sale of all vaping and nicotine products to under 18s
Ban vapes in vending machines and the free distribution of these products

Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Wes Streeting, emphasized the alarming growth in the number of children vaping and the need for urgent intervention. He stated, “The Tobacco and Vapes Bill provides the protection that children and young people need to avoid a life imprisoned by addiction.”

Read more: UK’s Tobacco and Vapes Bill: A Landmark Step Towards a Smoke-Free Nation

Support for Stop Smoking Services and Enforcement

To support current smokers in their efforts to quit, the government will allocate £70 million for stop smoking services. Additionally, all hospitals will integrate ‘opt-out’ smoking cessation interventions into routine care, making every clinical consultation count.

The government will also provide an additional £10 million for Trading Standards to crack down on illicit trade. National Trading Standards data reveals that over 1 million illicit vapes were seized inland by Trading Standards in 2023-24, a 59% increase compared to the previous year.

Potential Measures and Reactions

The Bill includes powers to introduce a licensing scheme for retailers to sell tobacco, vape, and nicotine products in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. It will also introduce on-the-spot fines of £200 for retailers found selling these products to underage individuals. The Bill will explore expanding the use of highly effective standardised packaging to all tobacco products.

Chief Medical Officer for England, Professor Chris Whitty, stressed the importance of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill in accelerating a smoke-free generation and preventing children from being trapped by addiction to cigarettes.

NHS national medical director, Professor Sir Stephen Powis, welcomed the government’s commitment to tackling vaping among young people and highlighted the significant impact of smoking on the NHS.

Sarah Sleet, chief executive at Asthma + Lung UK, emphasized the crucial need for additional funding for smoking cessation services and praised the Bill as a vital step towards protecting younger generations from the harms of smoking.

Hazel Cheeseman, chief executive of Action on Smoking and Health, noted that every day, around 350 young people start smoking, and two-thirds of long-term smokers will die due to smoking. She urged MPs to pass the Bill to help end the unprecedented harm caused by tobacco.

Dr Ian Walker, executive director of policy at Cancer Research UK, highlighted the power of MPs to save lives and make the UK a world leader in tobacco control by voting in favour of this historic legislation.

News source:
MPs to vote on landmark smoking ban to stop cycle of addiction

Author
Recent Posts

Matthew Ma

Marketing at Ecigator

With over a decade of experience in the e-cigarette industry, Matthew Ma is a seasoned expert in both the manufacturing and usage aspects of vaping products. His extensive background has provided him with a deep understanding of the intricacies and evolving dynamics of e-cigarettes.