The Tobacco and Vapes Bill is groundbreaking legislation aimed at progressively eliminating tobacco sales for future generations and imposing stricter regulations on vaping. This bill has garnered significant public and institutional support, with 69% of GB adults approving of raising the age of sale while only 12% oppose it. Crucially, this measure has bipartisan backing, with high levels of approval among Labour, Conservative, and Liberal Democrat voters, standing at 74%, 70%, and 75% respectively. Over 1,000 health organisations and professionals are publicly endorsing this initiative, highlighting its potential importance as part of a broader public health agenda.

Key Proposals within the Tobacco and Vapes Bill

The Tobacco and Vapes Bill introduces several measures to tackle smoking and vaping in the UK. These measures aim to create a pivotal shift in tobacco and vape control strategies, with implications across the UK and devolved administrations.

Major Tobacco Regulation Provisions

1. Phasing Out Tobacco Sales:
   • The bill aims to prohibit the sale of tobacco products to anyone born on or after 2009.
   • This progressive measure, which begins in 2027, aims to phase out tobacco altogether for future generations.
2. Promoting Smokefree Public Spaces:
   • Plans include broadening the scope of smokefree legislation to cover specific outdoor public spaces.
   • Proposals also suggest creating heated tobacco-free and vape-free zones, particularly in areas frequented by children and vulnerable groups.
3. Retail Licensing for Tobacco and Vaping Products:
   • A licensing regime is introduced for all retailers selling tobacco, vapes, and other nicotine products, replacing informal systems and allowing for potential enforcement reforms.

Stricter Controls on Vaping Products

1. Prohibitions and Regulation:
   • Restrictions on branding that appeals to children, including sweet names and bright colours.
   • A ban on giving free vapes to children.
   • Regulatory control over vape flavours, product design, displays in shops, and overall promotion.
2. Advertising and Infrastructure:
   • Bans on vape advertising and sponsorship.
   • Outlawing vending machines selling vapes and other nicotine products.
   • Regulation around point-of-sale displays and packaging rules.
3. Other Controls:
   • Expanded regulations to non-nicotine vapes and other nicotine-related products, imposing similar restrictions.

Enforcement and Oversight Measures

The powers provided by this bill include:

• Strengthening enforcement capabilities to tackle illicit sales of tobacco and vapes.
• Enabling trading standards to issue fixed penalty notices for breaches related to age-of-sale rules, proxy sales, and display infringements.

Public Health Impact of the Bill

Smoking Statistics

Smoking remains the leading cause of premature death and disability in the UK. It contributes to half the healthy life expectancy gap between poorer and wealthier regions. Approximately 160 people are diagnosed daily with smoking-related cancer, and every day 350 young adults start smoking in the UK. By raising the age of sale, this bill aims to prevent over 472,950 cases of stroke, heart disease, and lung-related diseases by 2100. Financially, this translates into billions saved across health and care systems.

Financial Burden of Smoking

For individual smokers, the economic strain is considerable. On average, smokers spend approximately £47 weekly on tobacco, equating to roughly £2,450 annually. Cumulatively, smoking costs the NHS £1.9 billion annually, with social care expenses adding another £1.2 billion. Societal costs related to lost productivity amount to £18.3 billion per year. Proponents argue that the revenue generated through tobacco taxes does not offset these substantial societal costs.

Benefits for Public Health

Statistics demonstrate the remarkable health benefits of smoking cessation:

• Quitting halves the risk of heart attack within one year.
• Smoking-related mental health impacts diminish, equating to the benefits seen with anti-depressant medications.
• Life expectancy for smokers diagnosed with lung cancer nearly doubles upon cessation.
• Up to 2% of global dementia cases could be prevented or delayed through reduced smoking rates.

Curtailing Youth Vaping

Currently, vaping serves as the most popular and effective means of quitting for the UK’s 6 million smokers. An estimated 2.7 million quit attempts in the last five years involved vapes. Despite its utility for cessation, youth vaping has risen, necessitating decisive action. The bill’s flexible governance enables the Government to adapt vape-related regulations as new evidence emerges.

Opposition Arguments and Responses

Some critics suggest the bill might pave the way for heightened illicit trade. However, past instances of increasing the age of sale (e.g., 16 to 18 years) showed no discernible impact on the black market, according to enforcement evaluations. Between 2000 and 2021, the illicit cigarette market halved, shrinking from 22% to 11% of total cigarettes sold.

Furthermore, small retailers have shown support for the age-of-sale proposal. Research found that 51% of surveyed small retailers backed the proposal, compared to just 26% who opposed it. Claims from tobacco manufacturers regarding adverse economic effects on small businesses are largely refuted by evidence post-implementation of display bans and standardised packaging laws, which indicated negligible changes to business operations.

Future Legislative Procedures

The bill’s Second Reading in Parliament witnessed overwhelming support, with MPs voting 415 to 47 in favour, confirming its legislative progression. The core focus of debates involved the safeguarding of delegated powers while MPs in Committee Stage will now scrutinise the Bill line-by-line. Report Stage debates and potential changes from the House of Lords are anticipated before its final passage.

Related Insights from Cancer Research UK

Cancer Research UK highlights this bill’s significance for reducing cancer-related cases. According to newly published projections, smoking could result in nearly 300,000 cancer cases over the next five years, with approximately 2,800 caused by second-hand smoke exposure. By introducing the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, the UK might see a reduction of up to 9.7 million cigarettes smoked daily by 2040. Furthermore, the landmark Parliament vote saw MPs rally to dismantle addiction patterns and prioritise public health in a bid to create a smokefree generation.

Source: ASH briefing
Related information is available on Cancer Research UK.