Tobacco and Vapes Bill: MPS debate on smoking ban

MPs today voted on world-leading legislation to 'protect future generations across the UK' from the harmful effects of smoking.

According to a statement from the Department of Health and Social Care, the Tobacco and Vapes Bill would make it an offence to sell tobacco products to anyone born after 1 January 2009 - children aged 15 or younger today.

It adds that smoking itself would not be criminalised and anyone who can legally buy tobacco today will never be prevented from doing so in the future by the legislation.

Health and Social Care Secretary, Victoria Atkins, said: “Too many people know someone whose life has been tragically cut short or irreversibly changed because of smoking, which despite significant progress remains the UK’s biggest preventable killer.

“The truth is that there is no safe level of tobacco consumption. It is uniquely harmful and that is why we are taking this important action today to protect the next generation.

“This bill will save thousands of lives, ease the strain on our NHS and improve the UK’s productivity.”

If passed, the bill will progress to the next stage, bringing the UK closer to creating the first smoke-free generation. 

The Tobacco and Vapes Bill would also give the government new powers to tackle youth vaping by restricting flavours and regulating the way that vapes are sold and packaged to make them less appealing to children.

Addictions/Cause of deaths

Smoking is highly addictive, as 4 in 5 smokers start before the age of 20 and remain addicted for the rest of their lives, despite most smokers having tried to quit, according to the statement.

Moreso, smoking is the leading preventable cause of death in the UK and places a burden of around £17 billion on the NHS and economy every year. It is responsible for about 80,000 deaths annually.

This figure significantly exceeds the £10 billion generated annually from tobacco taxes.

The legislation will cover all tobacco products, recognising that tobacco kills two-thirds of long-term users. In England alone, almost every minute someone with a smoking-related condition is admitted to hospital.

To ensure compliance with the new rules, trading standards officers are expected to be given new powers to issue on-the-spot fines (fixed penalty notices) to retailers unlawfully selling tobacco or vapes to children. All the money raised would be used to fund further enforcement action.