As of yesterday (5 November), the government has introduced the Tobacco and Vapes Bill in Parliament, which includes banning smoking outside of hospitals and schools.
It also includes plans to gradually phase out the sale of tobacco products to create a smoke-free generation by banning the sale of tobacco products to those aged 15 or younger.
The government aims to make the UK the first country in the world to eradicate smoking by raising the legal age to purchase cigarettes by one year every year until no one can legally do so.
On the bill, health and social care secretary, Wes Streeting, said: ’This historic legislation will save thousands of lives and protect the NHS. By building a healthy society, we will also help to build a healthy economy, with fewer people off work sick.
‘Unless we act to help people stay healthy, the rising tide of ill health in our society threatens to overwhelm and bankrupt our NHS. Prevention is better than cure.’
The bill also includes plans to extend the indoor smoking ban to specific outdoor spaces, such as children’s playgrounds and outside schools and hospitals, to protect those vulnerable to secondhand smoke.
This comes as leaked government documents revealed plans to ban smoking in open-air spaces including pub gardens and outside restaurants. However, the government later decided to ditch these measures in response to fears that it will cause ‘serious economic harm’ to the hospitality trade.
‘It is an unserious policy,’ said one Downing Street official. ‘Nobody really believes smoking outdoors is a major health problem.’
Emma McClarkin, the CEO of the British Beer and Pub Association, said the ban would have been ‘yet another blow to the viability of our nation’s vital community assets’.
What does the Tobacco and Vapes Bill include?
In addition to a smoking ban, the new bill will put a ban on vape advertising and sponsorship and allow new powers to restrict the flavours, display and packaging of all types of vapes in hopes of ‘breaking the cycle of addiction and disadvantage’.
Additionally, the bill includes powers to introduce a licensing scheme for retailers to sell tobacco, vape and nicotine products in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. It will also launch on-the-spot fines of £200 for retailers that sell these products to those under 18.
The bill reflects the new government’s desire to shift the focus on healthcare from sickness to prevention. It also seeks to address one of the biggest risk factors driving poor health in adults and children.
This comes as new data from NHS England revealed that almost one in 10 (9%) secondary school children vape regularly.
In response to the government’s attempts to tackle vaping, the Department of Health Social Care said: ‘These measures will help protect children from becoming hooked on nicotine while continuing to enable adult smokers to use vapes as a quit aid.’
Subject to consultation, the government is also considering extending smoke-free area restrictions to also become vape-free.
‘Significant step forward’
Health charities have expressed their support for the bill, with Dr Ian Walker, executive director of policy at Cancer Research UK, stating: ‘Today is a significant step forward in the journey to creating a smokefree UK.
‘By increasing the age of sale of tobacco products and properly funding cessation services, the government can build a healthier future, prevent cancer, and protect people from a lifetime of deadly and costly addiction.
‘We urge all MPs to prioritise the nation’s health by voting in favour of the Bill and ensuring that this historic legislation is implemented across the UK.’
The chair of Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), professor Nick Hopkinson, said: ‘It is important to have the debate about how we will protect children and vulnerable people from the harms of secondhand smoke’.
In the coming weeks, the second reading of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill is set to take place in which MPs will debate and vote on the bill.
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