Tobacco and Vapes Bill reintroduced

The Tobacco and Vapes Bill was introduced into the UK Parliament today, on the fifth of November, following an earlier version that was halted ahead of the General Election in May 2024.

The Bill seeks to ban anyone born on or after 1 January 2009 from being sold tobacco products in the UK, and regulates the flavours, display, packaging of all e-cigarettes (vapes) and nicotine products. New measures include banning e-cigarett advertising and sponsorship, expanding smokefree areas to outdoor spaces like playgrounds, and give the power to introduce licensing scheme for retailers to sell tobacco and nicotine products.

Before the Bill fell, the tobacco industry had engaged in extensive lobbying, arguing it would infringe on freedoms, be unenforceable, and boost illicit trade. Industry pushed to exclude heated tobacco products from the ban, and proposed raising the smoking age to 21 instead of a generational ban. According to documents released following FOI requests all four transnational tobacco companies had also warned ministers of potential legal challenges.

For more information  see: Interference with Endgame Policies

Find more about the Bill on the UK government website:  Tobacco and Vapes Bill