28 NOV 2024

The second reading of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill has taken place at the House of Commons being read by Wes Streeting MP and Secretary of Health and Social Care.

He said: “No smoker intends on causing harm to others but that is unintentionally what they do through second-hand smoke. The harms are less than actively smoking, but the evidence shows they are still substantial. If you can smell smoke, you are inhaling it.

“Smoke near schools and playgrounds exposes children to smoke. Hospitals, by definition, have very high numbers of medically vulnerable people on their grounds, so this Bill will allow governments to extend the ban on indoor smoking to certain outdoor settings, and we will consult on banning smoking outside schools, playgrounds and hospitals to protect children and the most vulnerable.”

Now, it will go to the committee stage and the House of Lords for corrections and amendments before finally being given royal assent by King Charles.

What is in the Bill?

Should the bill pass, a total ban on vape advertising and sponsorship will be introduced, and a possible ban on the sale of sweet vape flavours is also on the table, subject to consultation.

Anyone born after 1 January 2009 will also be prevented from legally smoking by gradually raising the age at which tobacco can be bought.

Dr Nigel Carter, CEO of the Oral Health Foundation says: “Creating the first of a smoke-free generation is vitally important for the future of not only dental health but also our overall health as a country.

“Introducing this particular aspect of the ban will prevent future generations from ever having the ability to get hooked on cigarettes and other tobacco products in the first place. We know diseases linked to smoking such as mouth cancer and heart disease are on the rise. This year we passed over 10,000 cases of mouth cancer for the first time.

“This new bill is how we make the changes to bring down those numbers and make a real change in our society.”

A ban on the sale of all vaping and nicotine products to those under 18 years old - including nicotine pouches and non-nicotine vapes. They will also consult on banning smoking outside schools, hospitals and in playgrounds.

Councils in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland would also be given the power to introduce a licensing scheme for retailers to sell tobacco, vape, and nicotine products.

It would also include on-the-spot fines of £200 for any shopkeepers found to sell to those underage and provide stop-smoking services with £70m in funding.

Why is this so important?

Smoking harms the body and mouth, causing nearly 80,000 deaths a year including mouth cancer, heart disease and dementia. Around 350 young people (twenty-five years old and under) will take up smoking every day.

Helen Duffy, Public Affairs Lead at Action on Smoking and Health says: "Passing this Bill is a vital way the Government can start to end the decades of harm caused by tobacco, protecting the health of the next generation by ensuring they won’t become addicted to smoking.

“However, it is just one piece of the puzzle. There are still 6 million smokers in the UK and every day around 30 people are diagnosed with mouth cancer, two thirds of which are caused by smoking. The Government need to make good on their promise to deliver a roadmap to a Smokefree country- including policies and information that supports those in the dental profession to encourage patients to quit. "  

The Oral Health Foundation and other health organisations back this Bill and hope it will go through to fruition. The impact of this Bill could vastly improve the future health of generations to come and aid the NHS service by taking away some of the pressures caused by smoking.