DHSC: Tobacco and Vapes bill introduced to parliament

The Tobacco and Vapes Bill was introduced to parliament earlier this week. This will be the biggest public health intervention since the ban on smoking in public places in 2007.

It is a step toward a smoke-free UK, which could save thousands of lives, and ease the pressure on our health system.

The Bill is a key pillar of the Government’s Health Mission to help people stay healthier for longer, reduce the number of premature deaths from the biggest killers like cancer, and raise the healthiest generation of children in our history.

The Bill will:

• create a smoke-free generation, gradually ending the sale of tobacco products across the country and breaking the cycle of addiction and disadvantage.
• strengthen the existing ban on smoking in public places to reduce the harms of passive smoking, particularly around children and vulnerable people.
• ban vapes and nicotine products from being deliberately branded, promoted, and advertised to children to stop the next generation from becoming hooked on nicotine.
• provide powers to introduce a licensing scheme for the retail sale of tobacco, vapes and nicotine products in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, and expand the retailer registration scheme in Scotland.
• also strengthen enforcement activity to support the implementation of the above measures.

You can find copies of the Bill, Explanatory Notes and the Delegated Powers Memorandum here: Gov.uk | Protecting children, families and vulnerable from tobacco harms