MPs are to vote on the tobacco and vapes bill today, the government has announced, moving the UK ‘one step closer to becoming smoke-free’.
The bill was introduced to Parliament earlier this month, having been first introduced by the previous government but subsequently shelved following the announcement of a July election.
The bill includes proposals to phase out the legal sale of tobacco to anyone currently 15 or younger, along with ‘ambitious plans to protect children from vaping’, including restrictions on flavours, packaging and retail displays, as well as a ban on advertising and the sale of vapes in vending machines. The bill will be backed by an additional £70m of support for stop smoking services, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) states.
‘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,’ says DHSC. The ban on vape advertising and sponsorship will bring regulations in line with those for tobacco, it adds.
The bill will also give the government powers to extend the existing indoor smoking ban to some outdoor spaces, including children’s playgrounds, and outside schools and hospitals, again subject to consultation.
‘The number of children vaping is growing at an alarming rate and without urgent intervention we’re going to have a generation of children with long-term addiction,’ said health secretary Wes Streeting. ‘It is unacceptable that these harmful products are being deliberately targeted at children with brightly coloured packaging and flavours like “gummy bear” and “rainbow burst”. The tobacco and vapes bill provides the protection that children and young people need to avoid a life imprisoned by addiction. That’s why it’s so incredibly important it is voted through.’
‘Every day around 350 young people start smoking, and two thirds of long-term smokers will die due to smoking,’ added ASH chief executive Hazel Cheeseman. ‘Passing this bill is a vital way the government can start to end the unprecedented harm caused by tobacco, protecting the health of the next generation by ensuring they won’t become addicted to smoking. Alongside the legislation funding is necessary to help the millions who currently smoke to quit and accelerate the creation of a smokefree country, and the announcement today is welcome.’
Meanwhile, the government is planning to confirm a compulsory levy on the gambling industry ‘as soon as this week’, according to the Guardian. The levy, which would force companies to pay a small proportion of their profits towards gambling treatment, research and prevention, would come into force next April. The proposals formed part of the government’s controversial gambling white paper, which was published in April last year.
See tobacco harm reduction feature in November’s DDN and gambling feature in the December-January issue