MPs to vote on tobacco and vapes
Smoking doesn’t just kill smokers, it also kills a significant number of non-smokers worldwide every year, including infants and children. In the UK, these numbers are far fewer than they were before the restrictions on advertising and sales, and on smoking in public places, were introduced. That legislation has saved thousands of lives and given much more freedom to the 88% of people who don’t smoke, including thousands of medically vulnerable people. We are urging all MPs to vote in favour of the Bill, which is an opportunity to extend this freedom and protect future generations from ever becoming addicted to this lethal product.
Greg Fell
ADPH President
MPs will today vote on the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, moving the UK closer to protecting future generations from the harms of smoking and vaping.
If passed, the Bill, which includes measures to create a smokefree generation by phasing-out the sale of tobacco products across the UK, will give the Government powers to extend the indoor smoking ban to specific outdoor spaces: with children’s playgrounds, outside schools and hospitals all being considered.
The Bill includes plans to clamp down on youth vaping with many of the measures specifically aimed at protecting children. Subject to consultation, the sale of vape flavours that overtly appeal to children – such as bubble gum, gummy bear and cotton candy – could be brought to an end, alongside restrictions on vape packaging that is designed to appeal to young people. The Bill will also bring in a total ban on vape advertising and sponsorship which will include displays that will likely be seen by children and young people such as on buses, in cinemas, and in shop windows, bringing this in line with current tobacco restrictions. All vaping and nicotine products will be banned from being sold to under 18s – closing loopholes on non-nicotine vapes and nicotine pouches – and vapes will be banned in vending machines, where they can be easily accessed by children. The free distribution of these products will also be banned.
If passed, the Bill will progress to the next parliamentary stage, bringing the UK one step closer to creating the first smoke-free generation.
Greg Fell, ADPH President, said:
“Smoking doesn’t just kill smokers, it also kills a significant number of non-smokers worldwide every year, including infants and children. In the UK, these numbers are far fewer than they were before the restrictions on advertising and sales, and on smoking in public places, were introduced. That legislation has saved thousands of lives and given much more freedom to the 88% of people who don’t smoke, including thousands of medically vulnerable people.
“We are urging all MPs to vote in favour of the Bill, which is an opportunity to extend this freedom and protect future generations from ever becoming addicted to this lethal product, laying the foundations for a healthier, more productive and smokefree UK. It is of course also vitally important to support people who currently smoke to quit, and the extra money pledged for stop smoking services is very welcome.
“Directors of Public Health and their teams, who commission these services, are ready to work with the Government, local authorities, the NHS and local communities, to support those who want to quit and to make sure that this legislation is as effective as possible.”