The UK government is implementing a new Tobacco and Vapes bill to make vaping less appealing to children.
The UK Government has announced a Tobacco and Vape bill that imposes further restrictions on smoking and vaping.
The ‘Tobacco and Vapes Bill’ bans the sale of tobacco products to anyone born on or after 1st January 2009. Further limits will be implemented on packaging and liquid flavours, and change how vapes are displayed in shops.
This Bill will drastically change the way vaping products are sold and advertised to smokers in the UK. The Government aim to move them out of sight of children, and away from other products like sweets.
We can also see a further clamp down on shops that engage in underage sales of tobacco products. Which would grant enforcement officers the ability to serve on the spot £100 fines to shop owners.
This is in addition to the £2,500 Max fine local councils can impose on traders. It will also be illegal to give free samples of vapes to under 18s.
In recent times we have seen a growth in new regulations on vaping. The vape tax introduced earlier this month sees an increase in price on high-nicotine products. Further, we will see a April 2025 ban on disposable devices under environmental laws.
Statement from IBVTA Chairman and TECC CEO Marcus Saxton on the Tobacco and Vape Bill:
“There are things to be welcomed in this Bill, such as strengthened powers of enforcement against retailers who engage in illegal sales.
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, but even worse, 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 extensive and widespread, and therefore any reference to potential powers to permit future legislation around their use is extremely worrying, and threatening to the governments own goals of 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.”
What Happens Next?
This announcement is simply the Government stating its attention to present the bill to the Government. It’s subject to voting, and you will find the latest updates on our blog as more details emerge.
