Yesterday saw Members of Parliament voting on the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, as the nation moves a step closer to stopping the negative effects of smoking and vaping.
MPs voted resoundingly in favour of the bill, with 415 ayes and only 47 saying no.
The bill will see a number of measures introduced, including ones that will clamp down on youth vaping and help people quit smoking.
Ahead of consultation, the sale of vape flavour that are more appealing to children could be ended, as well as introducing restrictions on vape advertising that will appeal to younger people. This will be complimented on vape advertising and sponsorship that will be seen by young people, with products being restricted from advertising on buses and in shop windows, similar to how it is with tobacco restrictions.
Loopholes are to be closed on the sale of non-nicotine vapes and nicotine pouches
Wes Streeting, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, said:
“The number of children vaping is growing at an alarming rate and without urgent intervention, we’re going to have a generation of children with long-term addiction.
“It is unacceptable that these harmful products are being deliberately targeted at children with brightly coloured packaging and flavours like ‘gummy bear’ and ‘rainbow burst’.
“The Tobacco and Vapes Bill provides the protection that children and young people need to avoid a life imprisoned by addiction. That’s why it’s so incredibly important it is voted through.”
Alongside work to stop young people vaping, current smokers will supported to quit through a number of measures. This will include £70 million for stop smoking services, as well as the recent rollout of the once-a-day pill that can help tens of thousands of smokers to give up cigarettes.
This bill will also begin to achieve on of the three key shifts in the government’s 10 year health plan, as it works to shift from sickness to prevention.
In response to the vote, NHS Confederation’s Director of Policy Dr Layla McCay commented:
“This marks another important step towards reducing the huge impact of smoking on people’s health and society. Tackling the harms of tobacco and vaping is a key goal of local health and care leaders, with smoking remaining the leading cause of preventable illness and is a key driver of health inequalities, with higher prevalence of smoking in areas with higher levels of deprivation.
“Ultimately the goal is a smoke free future for Britain, with smoking causing 76,000 deaths a year in the UK and is one of the leading causes of cancer. We know radical measures are needed if we want to make our nation healthier.
“Preventing children and young people from starting to smoke or vape is also a vital step to protecting the next generation.
“This will be a long journey, with many steps along the way, so it is not surprising that there will be hard decisions which will need to be carefully considered and thought through. But as a society it seems we recognise that this is the right direction of travel.
“Our members welcome this Bill as further indication that the government is not shying away from difficult and potentially unpopular decisions to bring in a healthier future for the next generation.”
Image credit: iStock
