The UK government says more than 12,000 responses have been received as part of its consultation on plans to create a smokefree generation and crack down on youth vaping.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak recently announced plans to introduce a historic new law to stop children who turn 14 this year or younger from ever legally being sold cigarettes in England. He also set out the government’s concerns about the worrying rise in vaping among children and announced a public consultation on plans to reduce the appeal and availability of vapes to children.
King Charles III set out plans for the government to introduce the Tobacco and Vapes Bill in this parliamentary session in yesterday’s (7 November) King’s speech.
The live public consultation – which closes on 6 December – also details proposals to prevent underage and illicit sales of tobacco and vapes, with plans to introduce on the spot fines for underage sales.
The consultation is open to anyone, of any age, in the UK to share their experiences and opinions and help shape future policy on vaping and smoking.
Health and Social Care Secretary Steve Barclay said: “Smoking kills tens of thousands of people every single year. That’s why we’re working at pace to introduce this historic legislation which will protect the next generation, prevent our children from starting smoking, and improve our nation’s health.”
Deborah Arnott, Chief Executive of health charity Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), added: “ASH congratulates the government for paving the way in the King’s speech for a ground-breaking bill to create a smokefree generation to be introduced to parliament imminently.
“No parent, whether they smoke themselves or not, wants their children to grow up to become smokers, which is why the smokefree generation policy is so strongly supported by the public.”
