The bill will introduce the phased-out sale of tobacco for future generations and give the government 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’
Mary Foy, 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.
“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.”
Members of the APPG have called for the reintroduction of the bill since it was included in the king’s speech in July 2024. In October 2024, the APPG 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, including:
- 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, 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. 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 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.”
Jim Dickson, 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."