The government has been praised by Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) and other leading members of the Smokefree Action Coalition for returning the historic ‘Tobacco and Vapes Bill’ to parliament.

The bill, which completed the Committee Stage in the last parliament, will introduce the phased-out sale of tobacco for the next generation and grant the government further powers to regulate vapes.

Nick Hopkinson, chair of ASH, said, “This bill starts the journey towards creating a country where young people will never start smoking and can live their lives free from the premature disability and death caused by the tobacco industry. The UK is going to continue to lead the world in tobacco legislation.

“We welcome inclusion of powers to extend smokefree legislation to outdoor places in the bill. It is important to have the debate about how we will protect children and vulnerable people from the harms of second-hand smoke. We will fully respond to any consultation and encourage the public to communicate their support for protection from second-hand smoke.

“A key next step is for the government to set out further how it will help the UK’s 6m smokers to quit. This will require a properly funded plan paid for by a levy on tobacco companies.”

Raising the age of sale - so no one born on or after 2009 can legally be sold tobacco -has had strong cross-party support and has the backing of voters from across the political spectrum. Support stands at 74 per cent among Labour voters (11 per cent opposed), 70 per cent among Conservatives (13 per cent opposed), and 75 per cent among Liberal Democrats (nine per cent opposed).

Ian Walker, executive director of policy for Cancer Research UK, said, “Today is a significant step forward in the journey to creating a smokefree UK. By increasing the age of sale of tobacco products and properly funding cessation services, the government can build a healthier future, prevent cancer, and protect people from a lifetime of deadly and costly addiction.

“We urge all MPs to prioritise the nation's health by voting in favour of the bill and ensuring that this historic legislation is implemented across the UK."

The bill includes:

  • Further powers to regulate the design of vapes
  • A ban on vape advertising and sponsorship
  • Powers to create a retail licensing regime for the sale of tobacco and vapes
  • Powers to extend smokefree legislation to further outdoor areas
  • Powers to prohibit vaping in smokefree places

The powers in the bill will be subject to consultation and further regulations.

The government has indicated that while the English consultation on regulations will not include hospitality settings, other parts of the UK may choose to consult on these.

Strong support

Mark Rowland, chief executive of the Mental Health Foundation and co-chair of the Mental Health and Smoking Partnership, said, “Smoking disproportionally harms people with mental health conditions and leads to sicker, shorter lives. Creating a smokefree generation will help many to avoid these devastating inequalities but support is also needed for those who are smoking now.

“We welcome further regulations on vaping to protect young people from addiction. However, these regulations must be balanced. For many currently smoking and living with poor mental health quitting can be a challenge and aids like vaping can be transformative. Vapes must remain accessible to those they can benefit.”

The bill has cross-party support in local government, in addition to support from voters and the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Smoking and Health.

Linda Chambers, Liberal Democrat portfolio holder for health and adult services at Hull City Council, said, “The burden of smoking falls heaviest on communities like mine in Hull, with 500 people every year dying from smoking-related illness and a cost to our local economy of around £352m a year.

“When I worked as a nurse, I witnessed time and again the devastating effects smoking had on people’s lives. Often when going off duty I would pass patients all lined up outside, still smoking. No other consumer product is as addictive or as lethal. We must spare the next generation from this terrible addiction which is why I urge MPs to back the Tobacco and Vapes Bill to end smoking once and for all.”

Lucia Des Neves, Labour cabinet member for health, social care, and wellbeing, said, “My community suffers every day because of the hardships caused by smoking. Ending this cannot come too quickly.

“Tobacco companies have prayed on low income and vulnerable communities as more affluent parts of the population have quit smoking. Tobacco has no place in the healthy and prosperous places we want to create, and this legislation will move us closer to a day when smoking is a footnote of history.”

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