A new law has been laid before Parliament today, which could
create the first smoke-free generation.
The Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which will cover all four UK nations,
will see all young people born on or after 1 January 2009 unable
to purchase any tobacco products.
Smoking is a leading cause of preventable disease and, causes
around 3,845 deaths in Wales each year. The proposed legislation
aims to protect future generations from the harms of smoking and
support Welsh Government efforts to make Wales smoke-free by
2030.
The Welsh Government has already led the way in restricting
smoking in some outdoor public spaces, including hospital
grounds, school grounds and public playgrounds to ensure people,
particularly children using these areas, are not breathing in
harmful second-hand smoke.
The new UK Bill will give enforcement agencies, including Trading
Standards Wales, additional powers to issue Fixed Penalty Notices
(FPNs) for illegal sales of tobacco and vapes and other consumer
nicotine products.
Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing, , said:
“I am pleased to see this strengthened Bill introduced as it
underlines our commitment to tackle smoking; to break the cycle
of nicotine addiction and pave the way towards a smoke and
nicotine-free UK.
“This is a huge step forward in ensuring the health of future
generations and we will work closely with our partners to ensure
the Bill is rolled out as smoothly as possible.”
Dr Keir Lewis, respiratory clinical lead at Prince Philip
Hospital, said the Bill would benefit the public health of people
in Wales: “This Bill provides a chance for people in Wales to
achieve better health. As a lung doctor, I see the pain, misery
and death caused by smoking every day.
“The government is helping protect us now and for generations to
come with such a comprehensive set of measures to control tobacco
and vaping.”
With almost 16% of young people in year 11 in Wales using vapes
weekly, the Bill will also introduce measures to tackle the rise
in children and young people using vapes and prevent the next
generation from becoming addicted to nicotine.
Proposals include restrictions to the advertising of vaping and
nicotine products; banning vape vending machines and measures to
reduce the appeal and availability of vapes by addressing vape
flavours, packaging and where they can be displayed in shops to
move them out of sight of children.
added: “These proposals will
help us meet our commitment to create the first smoke-free
generation and to tackle the growing issue of youth vaping.
“Increasing the age at which people can buy tobacco products, as
well as preventing vapes being deliberately targeted towards
children, will play a big role in achieving this.
“Together we can ensure future generations ‘stub it out' for
good.”
Jacqui Thomas, Chair of Trading Standards Wales said, “Trading
Standards Wales welcomes the introduction of the Bill. The
proposed changes will be key in the protection of public health,
particularly for children and future generations.”
Notes to editors
Further information about the UK Tobacco and Vapes Bill is
available here: https://www.gov.wales/tobacco-and-vapes-bill-2024-creating-smoke-free-generation-and-tackling-youth-vaping
