MPs have voted in favour of introducing a generational smoking ban, alongside one on single-use disposable vapes, in a landmark ruling. The Tobacco & Vapes Bill passed by 383 votes to 67 yesterday, and will see the legislation passed. This means it will be illegal for anybody born on or after 1 January 2009 to be ever sold tobacco products. In addition is a range of measures restricting the display, packaging and flavours of vapes.
Set out by prime minister Rishi Sunak, the plan is part of a wider strategy to create a smoke-free future and restrict the sale of vapes to children.
Speaking at the reading of the bill yesterday in parliament, Victoria Atkins, secretary of state for health and social care, responded to criticism: “When you walk into a local shop, you see the vape products on sale next to the till, and often next to the sweets – where children will often be attracted to.
“It is already unlawful to sell vapes to under 18s, but we want to take the powers in this legislation to ensure these vapes are being sold as they are intended – in order to help adult smokers quit.
“This bill will allow us to crackdown on child-friendly flavours and packaging, and through separate environmental legislation we will ban disposable vapes that young people favour, that do so much damage to the planet. We will consult, and we are very conscious of the complexities of this.”
Addressing concerns that a ban on disposable vapes is likely to fuel sales of illicit products, Atkins confirmed the government will “announce further funding and investment for law enforcement agencies both at the border and at a local level” to tackle criminality.
The government is already investing £10m per year for three years in trading standards as part of the legislation.
Major retailers lobby MPs on vape ban
The ACS and some of its members have funded a group to lobby MPs on the disposable vape ban, writing to MPs in attempt to raise its concerns during the debate yesterday.
The trade body’s partnered retailers that are lobbying against the disposable vape ban include Co-op, Spar, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons and Southern Co-op.
The ACS told The i that it has received £120,000 in annual subscription fees from four tobacco and vaping companies: British American Tobacco, Japan Tobacco International, Philip Morris International and Imperial Brands.
Four more vaping firms have given the group £74,000 in subscriptions.
The findings follow news that vaping firms are funding a new pressure group of MPs attempting to water down plans to regulate the industry, according to i. The industry has donated £470,000 to MPs and parliamentary groups over the last six years.
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