Andrea Leadsom Withdraws from UK Election, Citing E-cigarette Stance

Regulations by 2FIRSTS.ai
May.30.2024
Andrea Leadsom Withdraws from UK Election, Citing E-cigarette Stance
UK Public Health Minister Andrea Leadsom informed Prime Minister Rishi Sunak that she will not be a candidate in upcoming elections.

According to a report by Planetofthevapes on May 29th, the UK Minister of Public Health, Andrea Leadsom, wrote a letter to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, informing him that she will not be running as a candidate in the upcoming election.

 

Andrea Leadsom, during her tenure as the UK Secretary of State for Health, was a key proponent of the Tobacco and E-cigarette Act. She urged all members of parliament to support the legislation, which included restrictions on the flavors and packaging of e-cigarettes and plans to implement a ban on disposable e-cigarettes by April 2025 to achieve a "smoke-free generation" in the UK. Additionally, Leadsom opposed the retail licensing scheme for e-cigarette sellers, as she believed it would lead to more sales to minors.

 

Regardless of who ultimately wins the election, Andrea has announced that she will no longer serve as Minister of Public Health. In a letter to the Prime Minister, she stated:

 

After careful reflection, I have decided not to run as a candidate in the upcoming election. From my first day in parliament, I have been dedicated to serving my country, from reforming banking regulations in the wake of the financial crisis to pushing for change in my roles on the fiscal committee and as city minister.

 

In her letter, Andrea also sincerely thanked Sunak for the opportunity he provided her in the Department for Starting Life, Basic Healthcare, and Public Health. She expressed her gratitude, stating that

 

Expanding family centers and life-start programs, conducting dental contract reforms, providing new support for general practitioners, and leading the world in legislation to achieve a smoke-free generation are all great honors.

 

Last week, the UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA) sent a letter to Andrea and Sunak regarding the minister's suggestion of a licensing scheme for the e-cigarette industry. The UKVIA stated that Andrea's comments on the matter were "false and entirely inappropriate.

 

We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.

Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn


Notice

1.  This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.

2.  The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.

3.  This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.

4.  Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright

 

This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.

For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com

 

AI Assistance Disclaimer

 

This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.

We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com

Hungary’s Continental Tobacco Launches New Slay Nicotine Pouch Brand in UK Targeting Female Consumers
Hungary’s Continental Tobacco Launches New Slay Nicotine Pouch Brand in UK Targeting Female Consumers
Hungary’s Continental Tobacco Group has launched its Slay nicotine pouch brand in the UK, featuring compact, pastel-toned packaging and backed by a multi-million-pound investment and retail pilot programme to build its presence in the local market.
Dec.03 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Echo Guo: The Accumulating Risks Behind the Surge in Chinese Vape Exports to the U.S.
Echo Guo: The Accumulating Risks Behind the Surge in Chinese Vape Exports to the U.S.
Chinese vape exports to the U.S. jumped from about 2.2 million kg in June to 14.8 million kg in October 2025, despite tougher enforcement, the Washington Examiner reported. 2Firsts finds the surge reflects delayed bulk shipments, not demand recovery. With U.S. inventory exceeding 160 million devices and distributors paying ~10% upfront, cash-flow stress has shifted to Chinese manufacturers, and discounted stock is spilling into other markets.
Dec.14 by Echo Duo
Product | UWELL Launches CALIBURN BAR 80K Disposable Vape, Rated for 80,000 Puffs with 6 Power Levels and 3 Airflow Settings
Product | UWELL Launches CALIBURN BAR 80K Disposable Vape, Rated for 80,000 Puffs with 6 Power Levels and 3 Airflow Settings
UWELL has launched the CALIBURN BAR 80K disposable vape on its official website. The device features a staggering 80,000-puff count and a 20 mg/ml nicotine concentration. It offers two output modes (NORMAL and BOOST) with six adjustable power levels ranging from 18W to 35W, complemented by a 3-level airflow adjustment system.
Jan.14 by 2FIRSTS.ai
China Boton Group Announces Temporary Trading Halt Pending Major Disposal Announcement
China Boton Group Announces Temporary Trading Halt Pending Major Disposal Announcement
China Boton Group Company Limited (Stock Code: 3318) announced that trading in its shares on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX) was temporarily suspended at 9 a.m. on December 8, 2025. The suspension was requested by the company pending the release of an announcement related to a “very substantial disposal.”
Dec.08 by 2FIRSTS.ai
KT&G says lil reached about US$2.924 billion in cumulative sales and is expanding overseas
KT&G says lil reached about US$2.924 billion in cumulative sales and is expanding overseas
KT&G said its HNB brand lil has grown since launch, reporting KRW 7.8 billion (about US$5.304 million) in sales in 2017 and about KRW 4.3 trillion (about US$2.924 billion) in cumulative sales by last year’s third quarter, with KRW 5 trillion (about US$3.400 billion) described as within reach. KT&G said lil has entered more than 30 countries and supplies some products abroad via a partnership with PMI.
Jan.13 by 2FIRSTS.ai
British American Tobacco to close South Africa cigarette plant by end-2026, citing illicit trade squeezing legal market
British American Tobacco to close South Africa cigarette plant by end-2026, citing illicit trade squeezing legal market
British American Tobacco South Africa (BATSA) said it will halt local production of factory-made cigarettes and close its manufacturing plant in Heidelberg, Gauteng by the end of 2026, shifting to an import-led supply model. The company said illicit cigarettes now account for about 75% of South Africa’s market, making local manufacturing “unsustainable” and putting around 230 jobs at risk.
Jan.16