- Bold new measures to combat rising levels of youth vaping
expected to be announced
- A new “illicit vapes enforcement squad” – backed by £3
million of government funding – to be formed to enforce rules on
vaping and tackle illegal sales of vapes to under-18s
- Call for Evidence also launched to identify opportunities to
stop children vaping
The government is expected to unveil tough new measures to combat
the illegal sale of vapes to under-18s as part of its plans to
reduce smoking and tackle youth vaping.
In his speech at the Policy Exchange on Tuesday 11 April, Health
Minister Neil O’Brien is expected to announce a new “illicit
vapes enforcement squad” – backed by £3 million of government
funding – to enforce the rules on vaping and tackle illicit vapes
and underage sales.
Working across the country, the enforcement squad led by Trading
Standards will share knowledge and intelligence across regional
networks and local authorities.
It will undertake specific projects such as test purchasing in
convenience stores and vape shops. It will also produce guidance
to help build regulatory compliance, and will have the power to
remove illegal products from shops and at our borders.
The minister is also expected to announce the launch of a Call
for Evidence to identify opportunities to reduce the number of
children accessing and using vapes, while ensuring they remain
available as a quit aid for adult smokers.
It will explore topical issues such as the marketing and
promotion of vapes and the environmental impact of disposable
products.
Health Minister Neil O’Brien said:
“Smoking kills, so our priority is to prevent people smoking, and
support them to quit. We remain committed to our ambition to be
smokefree by 2030.
“However, while vaping is a preferable alternative to smoking for
adults, we are concerned about the rise in youth vaping,
particularly the increasing use of disposable vaping products.
“The new illicit vapes enforcement squad will work across the
country and clamp down on those businesses who sell vapes to
children – which is illegal – and get them hooked on nicotine.
Our Call for Evidence will also allow us to get a firm
understanding of the steps we can take to reduce the number of
children accessing and using vapes.”
Smoking prevalence in England in 2021 was 13.0%, the lowest on
record, thanks to measures such as doubling duty on cigarettes
since 2010 and continued funding to local stop smoking services.
This year, £68 million has been given to local authority stop
smoking services through the public health grant, and nearly
100,000 people quit with the support of a stop smoking service in
2021-22.
In addition, £35 million was committed to the NHS last year so
that all smokers admitted to hospital will be offered NHS-funded
tobacco treatment services.
