Tobacco and vaping legislation came under focus during the King’s Speech.
In his first King’s Speech, Charles III set out the priorities for government including an overhaul of tobacco and vaping legislation.
Currently under consultation, the proposals would see the legal age to buy tobacco products increase on an yearly basis to the point that nobody born after 2009 would be able to purchase them. Vaping is also under scrutiny with a ban on disposable vapes being put forward as well as changes to how the products are marketed, with a special emphasis on youth vaping.
The consultation on smoking and vaping closes in early December and the government is expected to act on implementation of measures as soon as possible.
Reacting to the speech, Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) chief executive James Lowman said: “The convenience sector has a proud record on preventing under age purchases, and we will need support from the government to implement a totally new policy on tobacco age restriction. The government must consider all of the possible long term challenges for colleagues and retailers at the front line of implementing a generational ban on the sale of tobacco.
“In both the tobacco and vaping markets, current and future regulations must be enforced far better. It is unacceptable that responsible retailers are being undermined by others selling products that are already illegal, often to children. We need to see further funding for Trading Standards to carry out more local enforcement activity against rogue vape sellers.”
Simon Clark, director of the smokers’ lobby group Forest, criticised the announcement. “This is the worst form of nanny state regulation because it treats consenting adults like children. If you’re old enough to vote, drive a car, join the army, and purchase alcohol, you’re old enough to buy cigarettes and other tobacco products.
“Declaring war on tobacco will only drive future generations of adult smokers to the black market and the biggest benefactor from prohibition won’t be public health but criminal gangs and other illicit traders.”
Retail crime was another focus of the King’s Speech, with the Sentencing Bill seeking to enforce tougher sentences for the most serious offenders whilst also introducing a presumption of suspended sentences for anyone sentenced to 12 months in prison or less.
Although no further details were provided in the speech, the honing in on retail crime was welcomed. Lowman said: “The Sentencing Bill provides nothing new at this stage for retailers looking for a commitment from the Government on shop theft, but we are pleased that more Police and Crime Commissioners are making theft a priority. It is right that the Government is not leaning on short custodial sentences as the only answer for crimes like theft and abuse, but we need to see more use of the measures introduced in the Retail Crime Action Plan to identify repeat offenders and use the right sentences and other interventions to stop the cycle of reoffending.”
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