MPs voted in favour of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill at its Second Reading at the House of Commons earlier this week.
415 MPs voted for the bill, while just 47 voted against it.
The vote moves the UK one step closer to becoming smoke-free, as well as a ban on vape advertising, restrictions on vape flavours, packaging and shop display.
In communications ahead of the second reading, the Government announced that it would be dedicating an additional £10m to enforcement activity against the illicit trade.
During the second reading, Health Secretary Wes Streeting, said:
“As we act to prevent harms from smoking, we must also tackle the rising problem of youth vaping … On any high street in the country, we can see shop windows filled with brightly coloured packaging for vapes, with flavours like blue razz lemonade and tongue twisters sour apple. Those products are designed, made, packaged, marketed and sold deliberately to children. This industry has cynically targeted its harmful products to kids.
“Action is long overdue. We promised to stamp out youth vaping in our manifesto, and the Bill delivers the change that we promised. It will close loopholes that allow vapes to be sold or given away to children, provide powers to regulate the flavours, packaging and display of vapes, and introduce on-the-spot fines of £200 for under-age sales. Just as we took action on the advertising and sponsorship of tobacco products, we will bring the law into line for vaping products, too.”
He did, however, acknowledge that vapes were still a useful tool for smokers trying to quit the habit. “As a stop-smoking tool, vaping has a part to play,” said Streeting. “For smokers, vaping is a better alternative—a route away from smoking. We do not want to throw the baby out with the bathwater.”
