The tobacco and vapes bill took its final steps this week towards completion in an effort create a smoke free environment for the future.
Under the new bill, anyone born after the 1st of January will not be legally able to buy tobacco products to help save lives and ease the burden of the NHS. Subject to approval from Parliament, the age of sale restrictions for tobacco will come into force on 1 January 2027, when those born on 1 January 2009 turn 18.
It was first introduced on the 5th of November 2024 and in has been a long journey could be finalised when it receives royal assent next week. Minsters hope it will help end the sale of tobacco over the years and break down the cycle of addiction
The bill will aim to help provide powers to licenced retailers in banning tobacco products, vapes, cigarette papers and herbal smoking items across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. It will also provide enforcement authorities in England and Wales with the power to issue fixed penalty notices (FPNs) of up to £200 for offences
Smoking today is the number one preventable cause of death, disability and ill health in the UK. It claims around 80,000 lives a year, causes 1 in 4 of all cancer deaths and kills up to two-thirds of its long-term users.
400,000 hospital admissions and 64,000 deaths a year in England alone and costs the NHS £3billion in treatments for tobacco-related illnesses such as cancer and heart disease. It is estimated to involve total costs to society of between £21.3bn and £27.6bn a year in England, mainly through lost productivity.
One main concern is what the bill will do to vape shops and their trade across the country. ‘We are not worried how it will affect business for the moment, but it will be interesting to see what will change in the next few years’ said the owners of the vape shop called “Vape Factorie” in Wolverhampton city centre.