APPG on Smoking and Health welcomes historic generational smoking ban becoming law

Today, members of the APPG on Smoking and Health are celebrating the royal assent of the Tobacco and Vapes Act. This year marks the 50th year of the APPG’s campaigning and the ‘smokefree generation’ law, that will come into force on 1 January 2027 is a huge achievement for the group. The law will ensure that the age of sale for tobacco will increase by one year every year, phasing out the sale of tobacco across the UK.

The APPG on Smoking and Health is a cross-party group of MPs that has been campaigning for an end to the tobacco epidemic for 50 years. It is currently co-Chaired by Bob Blackman MP (Conservative) and Mary Kelly Foy MP (Labour).

In addition, the Tobacco and Vapes Act will also prevent vapes and nicotine products from being marketed towards children, with the aim of reducing youth usage. It also gives the Government the power to stop vapes and nicotine products from being packaged in bright and colourful designs and restrict how they are displayed and advertised.

Looking ahead, Parliamentarians are now seeking clarity from the Government about the next steps to introducing regulations and what the Government intends to prioritise. The public have raised growing concerns about the sharp increase in the number of vape shops on high streets, particularly how they are selling vaping products alongside toys. The Government has powers under the Tobacco and Vapes Act to address these issues, through a licensing scheme for tobacco and vaping retailers, as well as through regulating the packaging and display of vaping products. It is vital that the necessary steps are taken to introduce these regulations swiftly, to stop nicotine products being marketed towards children who should not be using them.

There are still 5.3 million people in the UK who smoke and will not be impacted by the smokefree generation policy. The APPG on Smoking and Health’s 2025 report called for a ‘Roadmap to a Smokefree Country’, where no one starts, everyone stops, and there is no profit in tobacco. It is vital that people who currently smoke are not forgotten and no one is left behind from a smokefree country.

Bob Blackman MP, Conservative MP for Harrow East and Co-Chairman of the APPG on Smoking and Health said: 

“The APPG on Smoking and Health is a proud cross-party endeavour and this Bill, introduced by both Conservative and Labour Governments is evidence of that.

Tobacco is a uniquely lethal product that kills up to two thirds of its long-term users. Most smokers say they regret every starting smoking. Today, we are saving future generations from this regret, and giving choice back to young people, who will avoid ever having an addiction to tobacco.  

 This is something to be celebrated, and I am proud to be Co-Chairman of the APPG on Smoking and Health at this historic moment for public health.”

Mary Kelly Foy MP, Labour MP for City of Durham and Co-chair of the APPG on Smoking and Health said:

“I am so pleased that the Tobacco and Vapes Act is now law, setting us on a path to a smokefree future.  Smoking is responsible for half the healthy life expectancy between the richest and poorest in this country and tackling smoking is one of the most effective ways to reduce health inequalities.

Tackling smoking is a mission that all political parties share, it is not a partisan issue. I’ve seen the positive impact that action can have in my constituency of Country Durham where smoker rates have almost halved in the last ten years. We are so close to the finish line now but this Act does not mean it is ‘job done’. 
  

Jim Dickson MP, Labour MP for Dartford, Vice-Chair of the APPG on Smoking and Health said:

“The Tobacco and Vapes Act becoming law is a landmark moment for public health. As this century progresses, millions of lives in the UK will be saved, and we will be on the path to a smokefree Britain. Within a few generations tobacco products will no longer be on the shelves of every supermarket and, within just a few years, we will transform our high streets, which are currently plastered in nicotine product adverts.

It is fantastic to see legislation that embodies the work and ambitions of the APPG on Smoking and Health, and I’d like to thank the current chairs of the APPG and previous members for all their tireless work over the last fifty years.” 

Baroness Northover, Liberal Democrat peer and APPG Smoking and Health Vice President said:

“I am thrilled that the Tobacco and Vapes Act has achieved Royal Assent. The Liberal Democrat party has always championed public health, consistently emphasising the importance of preventative health measures. It is fantastic to see this legislation pass – designed as it is to protect the health of all future generations.

By passing this legislation we are taking a decisive stand against Big Tobacco - an industry which has caused immeasurable harm to so many men, women and children.  This is a major step in seeking to ensure that this appalling industry will no longer be able to trap our children in a lifetime of addiction.” 
 

Lord George Young of Cookham, Conservative peer, APPG member said:

“When I was Health Minister nearly 50 years ago, a smokefree future seemed very away.  The passage of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill is a significant milestone in improving the health of the UK and sets us on track to make smokefree a reality.

I am proud of the cross-party support for this measure and that it was initially proposed by a Conservative Government, with former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak calling it one of his proudest initiatives.

When the APPG on Smoking and Health held our inaugural meeting in 1976 smoking rates in England were at 41% - today they are 10.6%. This has been possible due to half a century of tireless campaigning across multiple governments of different political persuasions, all working towards the shared goal of a smokefree future.” 

Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle, former leader of the Green Party and APPG member said: 

“This moment is one to be celebrated, and I am particularly pleased that the Tobacco and Vapes Act includes powers to ban cigarette filters in the future. I tabled an amendment in the House of Lords on this very issue, because not only do filters provide no health protection to smokers, they are also the single most littered item on the planet.

Filters leach toxic chemicals into our waterways and pollute our environment. Protecting the planet is a founding principle of the Green Party, so I am delighted that the UK could become the first country in the world to ban cigarette filters and hope that the Government brings forward a consultation on this issue as soon as possible”.   

Dr Beccy Cooper, Labour MP for Worthing West and APPG member said:  

“It has been a privilege to join the APPG on Smoking and Health when there has been such world-leading legislation going through Parliament. The APPG has supported so many ground-breaking tobacco control laws but this one truly marks the beginning of the end for the tobacco epidemic in this country.

"As a public health consultation who has seen first-hand the devastating impact that smoking addiction has on individuals, I am thrilled to see Labour deliver this today.”