Cross-party support for the Tobacco and Vapes Bill as it returns to Parliament

Today the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Smoking and Health, a cross-party group of Parliamentarians who campaign on tobacco control, welcomed the return of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill to Parliament.

The Bill, which had strong cross-party support in the previous Parliament, will introduce the phased-out sale of tobacco for future generations and give the Government much-needed powers to regulate vapes to curb youth vaping. Passing the Bill into law will make the UK the first country to introduce a “Smokefree Generation”.

Members of the APPG have been calling for the reintroduction of the Bill since it was included in the King’s Speech in July, and last month hosted an event with smoking survivors and bereaved families, attended by the Public Health Minister, to emphasise the importance of the legislation.

The Bill being introduced by the Labour Government has some additions, some of which were amendments tabled by APPG members in the last Parliament. These include:

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

The additional powers will be subject to further consultation to inform how they will be put into practice.

Bob Blackman MP (Conservative), Co-Chair of the APPG on Smoking and Health, said:
"It is very welcome to see the Tobacco and Vapes Bill being re-introduced to Parliament today. I am proud that it was a Conservative government that won the argument for raising the age of sale for tobacco to create a smokefree generation. The key measures in this Bill have already been scrutinised and received strong cross-party support in the last Parliament, so the new government has no excuses for not progressing this legislation quickly.

“I am pleased to see that the Bill includes the introduction of a licensing scheme for tobacco and vapes. This is something which I proposed as an amendment to the Bill in the last Parliament and will make it easier to prosecute retailers who break the law. I look forward to scrutinising the new powers in the Bill closely and seeing the ambition of a smokefree generation realised.”

Mary Foy MP (Labour), Co-Chair of the APPG on Smoking and Health, said:
“I welcome the Tobacco and Vapes Bill which includes urgently needed proposals to create a smokefree generation and curb youth vaping. In 2022, I tabled amendments to the Health and Care Bill which would have given the government powers to tackle the marketing of vapes to children. However, my amendments were rejected by ministers despite strong cross-party support. I am glad that these much-needed measures will finally be implemented although I wish it had not taken so long. I look forward to supporting the Bill and urge colleagues from all parties to do their part to create a smokefree generation and protect children from vaping.”

Lord Chris Rennard (Liberal Democrat), Vice Chair of the APPG on Smoking and Health, said:
“350 young adults take up smoking every day in the UK, many of whom will become trapped in a lifetime of addiction and premature death. The Tobacco and Vapes Bill is sorely needed to prevent young people from this deadly addiction.

“While this legislation is welcome, there are still 6 million adult smokers in the UK who need more support to quit smoking. The government urgently needs to step up its efforts to support smokers from the most disadvantaged groups who face greater barriers to quitting, such as those living in social housing or with mental health conditions. This is vital to ensure that the most disadvantaged are not left behind as we move towards a smokefree future.”

Jim Dickson MP (Labour), Vice Chair of the APPG on Smoking and Health, said:
“It is a historic day that this Labour Government is returning the Tobacco and Vapes Bill to Parliament. A smokefree future for the UK is within sight after decades of avoidable disability, death and economic damage caused by the Tobacco Industry. The Bill marks the first step in this Government's bold mission to improve the health of the nation and reduce inequalities. As we move towards a smokefree future we must ensure that no smoker is left behind and deliver on Labour's manifesto pledge for opt-out smoking cessation services as part of routine care."

ENDS

Notes to the Editor
Action on Smoking and Health is a health charity working to eliminate the harm caused by tobacco use. For more information see: ash.org.uk. ASH receives funding for its programme of work from Cancer Research UK and the British Heart Foundation.

For interviews and more information, contact press@ash.org.uk