The Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which was today laid before the House of Commons, raises the age of sale for all tobacco products one year every year from 2027 onwards. This will mean that tobacco can never be legally sold to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009.
Leading health organisations including medical royal colleges and health charities have urged Parliament to put the legislation on the statute book before the general election and backed up their call to action with a detailed document rebutting tobacco industry arguments against the legislation.
Local Government leaders from across the political spectrum have also joined health leaders to back the Government’s new legislation, claiming that the policy is backed by two thirds of adults and will help to prevent the estimated 350 18-25 year olds who become regular smokers everyday from ever starting to smoke.
“Smoking is uniquely lethal and incredibly addictive," said Professor Nick Hopkinson, Respiratory Physician and Chair of ASH. "The Tobacco and Vapes Bill is an opportunity to introduce world-leading legislation that will create a smoke-free generation and end the premature death and disability caused by smoking.”
Dr Camilla Kingdon, President of Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health said: “The introduction of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill is a significant day for children’s health. As paediatricians, reducing harm to children and young people lies at the core of our work. Smoking remains the single biggest cause of preventable illness and disease in the UK. Stopping children and young people from starting to smoke will decrease their chance of developing preventable disease later in life. I strongly urge MPs to use the important responsibility they have and support this Bill to protect children’s and our nation’s health.”
Local Government have responsibility for public health and reducing smoking in their communities and trading standards professionals in local government will be responsible for enforcing legislation. In new research published today the Chartered Trading Standards Institute finds that 80 per cent of trading standards officers support the legislation .
“This Bill will provide important protection for children from both vaping and smoking," said Cllr Richard Clewer (Conservative), Leader of Wiltshire County Council. "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 smoke-free 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.”
Cllr Jim Dickson (Labour) Cabinet Member for Healthier Communities in Lambeth, and part of the London Tobacco Alliance added: “It is vital for the health and wellbeing of our communities that the government gets this critical bill through parliament and on the statute book as soon as possible. In return we in local government can give our guarantee that we’ll do all we can to help the government deliver the objective we all share of a smoke-free society.”
Councillor Linda Chambers (Liberal Democrat), portfolio holder for adult services and public health, Hull City Council said: "Hull City Council is deeply committed to supporting our residents in living longer, healthier lives. We wholeheartedly welcome all efforts to reduce smoking rates in our city. As we know, most smokers start as children, often leading to a lifelong addiction with devastating consequences. We envision a smoke-free future where our young people can grow up free from the dangers of tobacco, shielded from the addiction, the financial burden, and the multitude of diseases it causes.
"The proposed Smokefree Generation legislation presents a pivotal opportunity to finally end the immense harm caused by tobacco. This legislation provides a clear framework to phase out tobacco use for good, safeguarding future generations from a product that, if introduced today, would never be allowed due to its inherent dangers. We urge all MPs to carefully consider the countless lives that can be saved through this legislation and cast their vote in favour of a healthier future for all."
The Smokefree Action Coalition has produce a briefing for Parliamentarians on raisin the age of sale: https://www.smokefreeaction.org.uk/smokefree-2030/brief-for-parliamentarians
The Bill will also create new powers to regulate vapes and introduce new fixed penalty fines of £100 for selling cigarettes or vapes to children.
Objectors to the bill include those who say a massive new black market will be created.
Malaysia was the first country to put forward the idea of a generational smoking ban, but withdrew its draft legislation after the country's Supreme Court struck it down on human rights grounds. Next, New Zealand took up the proposal, but then cancelled its ban after Jacinda Ardern stood down and her party lost the subsequent election to the country's centre-right National Party, led by Christopher Luxon.
