Smoke-Free Generation: MPs approve tobacco and vaping restrictions

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Proposals to create a “smoke-free generation” by incrementally raising the legal age for purchasing tobacco have passed through the House of Commons. If the Tobacco and Vapes Bill becomes law, anyone born on or after 1st January 2009 will be prohibited from legally smoking. The Bill also seeks to ban the sale of vaping and nicotine products to under-18s and grants ministers powers to regulate vape flavours, packaging, and advertising to make them less appealing to children.

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In addition, the Bill aims to impose a total ban on vape advertising and sponsorship, including in places where children and young people may be exposed, such as buses, cinemas, and shop windows. On Wednesday, MPs voted 366 to 41 in favour of the Bill during its third reading. Health Minister Ashley Dalton remarked, “This Bill is the next step in a long history of action on tobacco,” and praised former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak for his role in championing earlier versions of the proposals.

The legislation has been widely supported by health campaigners. Hazel Cheeseman, Chief Executive of Action on Smoking and Health (Ash), hailed the Bill as a significant step towards ending the harm caused by smoking. The division list revealed that Conservative MPs such as Rishi Sunak and Jeremy Hunt backed the Bill, while Suella Braverman was among those who opposed it.

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Despite the Bill’s ambitious goals, it does not extend smoking bans to outdoor hospitality settings, following concerns from the hospitality sector. A proposed amendment to prevent ministers from expanding smoke-free zones to pubs and restaurants was defeated. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage criticised the Bill, suggesting that it embodies a “moral superiority” and reflects the spirit of Oliver Cromwell in its restrictions on personal freedoms.