The Tobacco & Vapes Bill returned to the House of Lords for consideration of Commons amendments, the final stage of a process known as ‘ping pong’.
The stage of the bill was significant, as it now means only Royal Assent is required before the bill passes into law after amendments brought were agreed ‘without division’.
The bill’s aim is to create the first ‘smoke-free generation’ by ensuring children turning 15 this year (and younger) can never be legally sold tobacco. It also seeks to enable product and information requirements to be imposed in connection with tobacco, vapes and other products.
The bill was initially considered by the House of Lords between 27 March last year and 9 March this year, before returning to the House of Commons - a back-and-forth process worthy of its ping pong name.
On Monday members of Lords considered any changes made by MPs in the Commons in regard to previous Lords amendments. These covered the issuing of fixed penalty notices in Wales and the use of subsequent funds accrued from fines.
In response, Hazel Cheeseman, chief executive of Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) said: “This is a decisive turning point for public health. The end of smoking, and the devastating harm it causes, is no longer uncertain - it’s inevitable, and the focus now is on how soon we get there.
”Over the past half-century, smoking has claimed millions of lives across the UK, leaving a legacy of preventable pain and loss. Ending its harm is a lasting gift to generations ahead and families everywhere can now feel secure that their children can grow up free from the harm of tobacco.”
In a further related response to the news today, Markus Lindblad, head of legal and external affairs at nicotine pouch retailer, Haypp, said the bill would also have an impact on the burgeoning pouch market: “A critically important element of the Tobacco & Vapes Bill is that it gives the Government the power to regulate nicotine pouch products.
“Nicotine pouches don’t contain tobacco nor produce vapour, so they fell outside the scope of existing nicotine product laws. Introducing regulations such as an 18+ age-of-sale and an upper limit of 20mg of nicotine per pouch will help send the message that these products are for adult nicotine users only.
“Nicotine products have enabled Sweden to achieve smoke-free status, and with sensible regulation arising from this Bill, pouches can play a similar role driving down smoking rates in the UK.”
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