The Tobacco and Vapes Bill has passed its first vote in the House of Commons with a large majority.
The bill seeks to prohibit smoking for anyone born after 1 January 2009, creating a ‘smokefree generation’ by banning the sale of tobacco products across the UK to anyone 15 years or younger.
Legislation for this same ban was first introduced under the previous Conservative Government but did not progress after the election was called, with the new Labour Government confirming over the summer that it will proceed with similar laws.
As part of the new bill, the Government will ‘be given powers’ to extend the current indoor smoking ban to specified outdoor spaces, which could include children’s playgrounds and outside schools and hospitals, subject to consultation.
MPs voted on the bill on Tuesday (26 November) evening, with 415 backing the bill to 47 against. The bill must now go through further parliamentary stages, including the committee stage next.
In response to the vote, Dr Layla McCay, director of policy at the NHS Confederation, said: ‘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.’
She added that it will be a ‘long journey’ with ‘hard decisions’, but that it was right ‘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,’ she said.
It comes as NHS England is set to relaunch ‘improved’ anti-smoking pill varenicline after withdrawal of a branded version in 2021.
