MPs vote in support of historic Tobacco and Vapes Bill

Today [26 November 2024], MPs voted in favour of a Smokefree Generation, advancing the historic Tobacco and Vapes Bill to the committee stage.

MPs from all parties voted for the Bill, which also takes powers to implement robust regulations for vapes, to curb youth vaping.

The final vote saw 415 MPs supporting the Bill, with only 47 voting against – a reduction of 20 opponents compared to the legislation's second reading in the last Parliament.

Hazel Cheeseman, Chief Executive of Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), said:
“Ending the harms from smoking is not a party-political issue; it is backed by voters of every political persuasion. This was clearly shown in tonight’s debate, where MPs from across the political spectrum voiced their support for phasing out the sale of tobacco to future generations.”

Alongside the Bill, the Government also confirmed £70 million in funding for local authorities and £10 million for enforcement. [1]

Hazel added:
“The funding announced alongside the Bill today is a clear indication that the Government knows they need to support the 6 million current smokers in the UK to quit alongside protecting the next generation from harms.

“We look forward to seeing all previous funding commitments made under the last government confirmed as this government make good on their commitment to creating a smokefree country.”

Presenting the Bill to Parliament, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Wes Streeting paid tribute to former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and praised the cross-party consensus on tobacco control. He said:

“Smoking takes 80,000 lives a year, causes one in four deaths from cancer in England, a hospital admission almost every minute, and 100 GP appointments an hour. It is the leading cause of sickness, disability, and death in our country, and today, members of this House can consign it to the history books.”

Dr. Caroline Johnson MP, Conservative Spokesperson for Public Health, emphasised that “prevention is better than cure” and praised the Government for adopting her proposals from the previous bill on sponsorship and advertising for vapes, calling the Bill “bold legislation of good intention.”

Helen Morgan MP, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Health and Social Care, shared how her perspective on the Bill was influenced by an ASH event where she met Liberal Democrat Councillor Linda Chambers. She said:

“The speakers at this event explained that the nicotine addiction had taken away the personal choice of their loved ones to live the life they wanted to live and therefore they weren’t exercising their personal choice anymore. For a Liberal that’s a very powerful argument. Personal choice is so important, and addiction really does take that away.”

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

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

References
[1] Government announcement on landmark smoking ban