The UK’s Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which includes Rishi Sunak’s ambitious tobacco generational ban, has been unexpectedly omitted from the list of bills to be processed before the upcoming general election on July 4th. This decision has sparked confusion, given its importance to Sunak’s legacy. Despite this setback, Clive Bates, a tobacco harm reduction expert, reassures us that the bill is far from dead.
“This election was announced earlier than expected, so some legislation that has not completed its passage through parliament is expedited, a process known as the Wash Up. Other legislation has too far to go or is contentious and has to be abandoned. But the incoming government can revive it after the election. Both main parties have promised to revive it,” Bates explained.
Indeed, the bill was still in the early stages of the legislative process. While it passed a Commons vote last month, it made no further progress. As Bates explained, the bill was hindered by a guideline requiring it to be at least halfway through the legislative process to be included in the wash-up period. Despite Sunak emphasizing the importance of this smoking ban in his election announcement speech, Commons leader Penny Mordaunt did not include it in the final legislative schedule.
Labour Party’s Commitment to the Bill
The smoking generational ban bill aimed to prohibit the sale of tobacco products to anyone born in 2009 or later, effectively creating a smoke-free generation. However, with its exclusion from the current legislative agenda, it is unlikely to be implemented by Sunak’s government before the election. There remains a slim possibility that the bill could be revived at the last minute through an emergency statement, but otherwise, it will fall to the next government to reintroduce it.
Experts are concerned that banning cigarettes could make smoking more appealing, especially among youth, who are often drawn to forbidden substances.
The Labour Party, committed to this policy, is likely to include it in their manifesto and revive it after the election. Bates is convinced of this: “Labour will certainly revive this legislation, at least in some form,” he said. Moreover, Wes Streeting, the shadow health secretary, was approached by a health minister for support, indicating Labour’s continued backing for the bill.
Deborah Arnott, chief executive of Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), noted that the bill has been strongly supported by UK chief medical officers and the public. Like Bates, she also expressed confidence that the bill is likely to be reintroduced and expedited by the next government, emphasizing its importance for children’s health and economic productivity.
Potential Pitfalls of Generational Bans
Meanwhile, other experts in smoking cessation have been concerned that banning cigarettes could just make smoking more appealing, especially among youth. The unavailability of the products to a certain age group could lead them to purchase them illegally, giving rise to a thriving black market and increased criminal activity, as well as the circulation of unregulated, possibly unsafe products.
In similar news, last December, New Zealand’s National party, which won 38% of the vote in the October 2023 election, announced plans to scrap the generational ban previously introduced under the Jacinda Ardern-led government. The measure would have banned cigarette sales to anyone born after 2008 as of 2024.
Some health experts strongly criticized the reversal, emphasizing that the generational ban would have significantly benefited public health. However, THR experts had long contended that prohibition had never been effective and that a generational tobacco ban would merely boost an already existing black market while unintentionally making smoking more appealing to minors.
The Aotearoa Vape Community Advocacy (AVCA) had noted that a generational tobacco ban might even be illegal. The group stressed that all adults have the right to make informed choices and voiced concerns about implementing measures that would prohibit a specific consumer product for a particular age group upon reaching adulthood.
The Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products (Smoked Tobacco) Amendment Bill was introduced the previous year and also aimed to reduce tobacco retailers by 90% and limit nicotine levels in cigarettes. Despite opposition, the new government announced plans to repeal the Smokefree legislation, citing the influence of its coalition partners in this decision.
So, while the fate of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill remains uncertain, it’s clear that the discussion around tobacco control and vaping regulation is far from over. Whether you’re a vaping enthusiast or just someone interested in public health, staying informed and engaged with these developments is crucial. Keep up with our blog for the latest updates and insights—because your health, and your right to choose, are paramount.
