The UK government are set to introduce tougher restrictions on vaping and smoking to protect the public, NHS, and the economy.
The UK Government has announced a Tobacco and Vape Bill that will come into force on 1st January 2027.
The ‘Tobacco and Vapes Bill’ first announced by the previous government will place restrictions on smoking and vaping.
The legislation is subject to approval and includes measures to create a smoke free generation. Banning the sale of tobacco products to anyone born on or after 1st January 2009.
The bill is part of the governments plans to tackle youth smoking and vaping, which aim to break the cycle of addiction.
Smoking claims around 80,000 lives a year in the UK, and causes 1 in 4 cancer deaths, and kills two thirds of long term users. The habit increases the risk of many major health conditions includes strokes, diabetes, heart disease, stillbirth, dementia, and asthma.
The economy is also taking an even greater hit than ever, with over £18 billion pounds lost each year due to a third of smokers being off work sick.
The government will also take tougher action to crack down on youth vaping. A 2023 study found a staggering over 25% of 11 to 15-year-olds admitted to trying a vape.
Health and Social Care Secretary, Wes Streeting, said:
“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.
“This government is taking bold action to create the first smokefree generation, clamp down on kids getting hooked on nicotine through vapes, and protect children and vulnerable people from the harms of second-hand smoke (1).”
What are the Governments Plans for the Tobacco and Vapes Bill?
Let’s explore the governments potential plans and discover how it could effect vapers.
Smoke Free Generation
The bill will ban smoking for anyone born on or after 1st January 2009. The age at which tobacco can be bought will then gradually rise with the hope of creating a smoke free generation.
Health and Social Care Secretary, Wes Streeting commented:
“This government is taking bold action to create the first smokefree generation, clamp down on kids getting hooked on nicotine through vapes, and protect children and vulnerable people from the harms of second-hand smoke (1).
“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. (1)”
Extend indoor smoking ban to Outdoor Areas
The Government proposes to ban smoking in children’s playgrounds, outside schools, and hospitals. With the aim to reduce the levels of exposure to second hand smoke.
Chief Medical Officer for England, Professor Christ Witty stated:
“Most smokers wish they had never started, but are trapped by addiction. Second-hand smoke causes harm including to children, pregnant women and medically vulnerable people so reducing this is important. If vulnerable people can smell smoke they are inhaling it (1).”
Ban on Vape Advertising and Sponsorship
The bill plans to ban advertising and sponsorship of all vape products and other nicotine products such as pouches.
TECC SEO and Totally Wicked Chief Executive Marcus Saxton stated in an article with The Business Desk:
“The UK government/regulators have long since recognised the positive role that vaping plays in their global leadership in a tobacco control policy, and since the establishment of the Tobacco & Related Products Regulation (2016), there has been a clear, evidenced-based framework in which our business and the wider sector has operated.
“The sale of e-cigarettes to those under 18 is illegal, and we strictly enforce these regulations across all of our owned routes to market. Advertising e-cigarettes is already tightly regulated, and we do not see any material impact if there were any further changes (2).”
Vape Flavour Ban
The restriction of vape flavours has been discussed widely by the Government. They aim to ban a range of flavours that they believe appeal to young children, such as dessert and candy e-liquids.
Henry Gregg, director of external affairs at Asthma + Lung UK, said:
“Recent figures show a worrying rise in the numbers of children vaping, who mostly use disposable vapes. It’s high time to put a stop to the vaping industry marketing their products towards children with cheap prices and appealing flavour options. It’s good to see increased powers to regulate vape branding, promotion and flavours in this bill and further powers of enforcement (1).”
Many in the vaping industry worry this could greatly affect ex-smokers and quitters from switching to vaping. Studies prove that moving away from the taste of tobacco is often vital for many former users.
To find out more check out our Blog ‘Charity Leaders Warn Vape Flavour Ban Could Halt Quitters’.
Restrictions on Vape Displays and Packaging
The potential legislation could implement changes in how vapes can be displayed in in shops. It is also pushing forward a law that will restrict packaging of all tobacco products and vapes.
Likening to cigarettes we could see standardised packaging implemented which will restrict brand identity and aims to limit the appeal of vaping to children.
£200 Spot Fines to Illegal Sellers
The bill is set to include powers to introduce a licensing scheme for UK retailers to sell tobacco, vape, and nicotine products. It will also introduce £200 spot fines to retailers found to be selling products to underage people. As well as Fixed Pentalty Notices set at £2,500 for offences in connection to licensing.
Statement from IBVTA Chairman and TECC CEO Marcus Saxton:
“There are things to be welcomed in this Bill, such as strengthened powers of enforcement against retailers who engage in illegal sales. However, there is also a danger that with so many legislative avenues being sought to reduce youth uptake of vaping, ‘regulatory overkill’ may hamper the future of vaping as the UK’s leading quit aid for adults.
“The IBVTA looks forward to working positively and progressively with the Government to ensure that vaping becomes less accessible and desirable to children, and to adults that would not otherwise be smoking. However, this can only be considered successful in the context of continuing the decline in adult smoking rates that has accompanied the growth of the UK’s vape sector.
“Excessive restrictions on the types of products that our members can provide may reduce the products’ appeal. Even worse, they may contribute to continued misperceptions about the harm of vaping relative to tobacco smoking. Specifically, the role of flavours in supporting adult smokers to a successful quit attempt is accepted and understood by most public health stakeholders, and we believe to have been fundamental to the success of vaping in reducing smoking rates. Therefore, any reference to potential powers to restrict flavours is very worrying, as it threatens the government’s own goal of the UK becoming smoke free by 2030.
It is vital that more smokers understand that switching to vaping is of much lower harm, and can help them to quit smoking for good (3).”
What Happens Next?
This announcement is simply the Government stating its attention to present the Tobacco and Vapes Bill to the Government. The bill will be debated and voted on in parliament, with potential opportunities for amendments. Once it passes to law the Government will still need to consult further on specific regulations before they can be implemented.
You will find the latest updates on our TECC Blog as more details emerge.
Sources
(1). GOV.UK. Smoking ban introduced to protect children and most vulnerable.
(2). The Buisness Desk. Blackburn vaping company under fire for marketing style.
(3). IBVTA. IBVTA statement on the Tobacco & Vapes Bill.
(4). GOV.UK. Tobacco and Vapes Bill: creating a smoke-free UK and tackling youth vaping factsheet.
