On Tuesday the 5th of November, the Labour Government retabled the Tobacco and Vapes Bill. The Bill keeps the core elements included in the previous version of the Bill, but also includes new additions which strengthen the Bill.
Core elements included in the previous version of the Bill:
- Phasing out the sale of tobacco to those born in or after 2009
- Giving government powers to curb youth vaping while ensuring adult smokers can still use vapes to quit by regulating branding, point of sale displays and flavours
- Increased enforcement powers.
New elements which strengthen the Bill:
- Powers to create a retail licensing regime for the sale of tobacco and vapes.
- Powers to extend smokefree legislation to public, outdoor areas.
- Powers to prohibit vaping in smokefree places.
- A ban on vape advertising and sponsorship.
- Further powers to regulate the design of vapes.
- Increasing Fixed Penalty Notices to £200
Here are some things you can do to support the Bill:
- Consider writing to your MP to underline the support for the Bill among the public (you can use our template letter here as a guide).
- Amplify positive social media about the Bill, our tweet can be found here.
- Submit responses to consultations as they come, we will provide guidance on these.
Key links/resources:
- You can view the Bill here
- Read the DHSC PR here
- Read the ASH PR here
- Read the APPG on Smoking and Health PR here
- ‘Stopping the start’ command paper which sets out the detailed rationale and impact of the key measures in the Bill
- Article by the Chief Medical Officer: Protecting children, families and vulnerable from tobacco harms
- ASH FAQs on raising the age of sale for tobacco
- Polling showing national/regional and constituency-level support for raising the age of sale
The tobacco industry is doing everything they can to block the legislation which makes it even more important for us to show MPs how much support there is for a smokefree generation. You can check if an organisation has links to the tobacco industry by searching here.