Senior councillors write to PM calling for Tobacco and Vapes Bill to be published

For immediate release - Friday 1st March

A senior group of councillors [1] from across the political spectrum have written to the Prime Minister [2] today [1st March] to urge him to publish the Tobacco and Vapes Bill at the earliest opportunity. In October the PM announced that Government would raise the age of sale for those born before 2009 and Government confirmed they would proceed with a Bill on 12th February following a consultation on this and further vaping regulations [3]. Local leaders are concerned that the Bill risks not passing before a general election given its importance to the work councils do to protect the public’s health from smoking.

In their letter to the Prime Minister they say: “We know that the proposals in the Bill are popular with our communities who want to see the next generation protected from smoking and to see vaping appropriately regulated to prevent teen use while allowing adult smokers to switch.”

The letter comes on the heels of concerns raised by health organisations earlier this week who also called on government to table the bill as soon as possible citing high levels of public support for ending smoking in Britain. [4]

Even before the PM made his announcement in October councils had already placed a high priority on tackling smoking. In a new survey, published today [5] and funded by Cancer Research UK, the health charity ASH found that councils had the highest level of priority on tackling smoking since they were handed public health responsibilities in 2013. Two thirds of councils reported that smoking was a high priority when the survey was conducted in August and September 2023. Since then, the PM has made his landmark legislative commitment alongside £70m in new funding to enable councils to support many more smokers to quit.

With new funding councils will play a key role in delivering on the vision of a smokefree country.

Cllr Jim Dickson, Chair of the London Smokefree Councillor Network and lead member for health in London Borough of Lambeth:
“Smoking is killing our citizens every day and it is a big priority across councils in London to bring down smoking in the capital. We have a young population and raising the age of sale will have a rapid impact for our communities. Councils will do their part to tackle smoking but Westminster must also play theirs.”

Cllr Richard Clewer, Leader, Wiltshire County Council:
“This Bill will provide important protection for children from both vaping and smoking. Smoking rates among young people are at an all time low and we have a chance to bring them down further still with this landmark legislation. For Wiltshire this is an important issue and we want to secure a smokefree generation for our population as soon as we can, the long term health benefits to our children are hugely important. There is no time to waste.”

Cancer Research UK’s prevention policy manager, Alizee Froguel, said:
“Smoking is the biggest cause of cancer in the UK, leading to around 150 cases every single day. Council-funded services play a vital role in helping people who smoke to quit and this, alongside raising the age of sale of tobacco products, will be a critical step on the road to a smokefree future.”

Hazel Cheeseman, Deputy Chief Executive Action on Smoking and Health, said:
“Councils are vital partners in supporting more smokers to quit and the Government should heed their call for action. New funding to help smokers is very welcome but it must be backed by legislative action to bring about lasting change.”

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.

Contact: press@ash.org.uk

References
[1] All 37 councillors who have signed the letter:

[2] Text of the letter
Dear Prime Minister

As councillors who support your vision for a smokefree generation we wish to urgently raise our concerns that the proposed Tobacco and Vaping Bill has not yet had first reading. Time is tight for the legislation to proceed in this Parliament and we cannot afford to wait to protect the health of children.

Councils are the stewards of local public health, and we see the impact that smoking has on our communities. Smoking is the biggest cause of cancer and death in the UK and two in three people who smoke will die from a smoking-related illness, with countless more left suffering from disability and disease.

We know that the proposals in the Bill are popular with our communities who want to see the next generation protected from smoking and to see vaping appropriately regulated to prevent teen use while allowing adult smokers to switch.

We urge you to publish the Bill for first reading without delay.

[3] Consultation outcome: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/creating-a-smokefree-generation-and-tackling-youth-vaping/creating-a-smokefree-generation-and-tackling-youth-vaping-your-views

[4] Charity PR showing high levels of public support: https://ash.org.uk/media-centre/news/press-releases/71-of-adults-support-the-pms-ambition-to-stamp-out-smoking

[5] The First Ten Years: ASH report on local authority delivery to address smoking funded by Cancer Research UK