1,200 Health Leaders Urge UK Parliament to Pass Tobacco and Vapes Bill Swiftly

Key Highlights

• 1,200+ health experts urged Parliament to fast-track the Tobacco and Vapes Bill.
• Law bans tobacco sales to those born after 2009; regulates vape packaging and flavours.
• Cross-party letter calls the reform “too important to slip off the agenda.”
• UK adult smoking rate stands at 11.9% (6 million people).
• Tobacco industry threatens legal action, lobbying MPs to weaken the bill.

2Firsts, October 27, 2025 — According to The Guardian, more than 1,200 public health professionals, doctors, and local officials have urged Parliament to swiftly pass the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, describing it as “vital to protect future generations.”

The cross-party letter, organised by Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), warns that after a six-month delay since the bill’s second reading, the legislation must not “slip off the agenda.” The House of Lords is now preparing to scrutinise it at committee stage.

The proposed law would make it illegal for anyone born after Jan 1, 2009, to buy tobacco and give ministers powers to restrict vape packaging, marketing, and flavours.

ASH chief executive Hazel Cheeseman said: “Every week, thousands of young people become trapped in addiction that will shorten their lives. Politicians can protect future generations by passing this gamechanging law.”

Official data show 11.9% of UK adults — roughly 6 million people — still smoke.

Peter Roderick, from the Association of Directors of Public Health, said the bill would “save more lives and give freedom to live healthier lives to the 88% who don’t smoke.”

However, tobacco companies have threatened legal action and are lobbying MPs to weaken or delay the plan. The Guardian reported that Tory peer Ed Vaizey had suggested delaying a heated-tobacco ban weeks after visiting a cigarette firm’s Swiss research site.

A Forest survey of over 2,000 adults found 58% support an alternative to a generational ban, while 25% favour keeping the age at 18 and 33% support raising it to 21.

According to 2Firsts, the UK House of Lords completed the second reading of the bill in April 2025.

A bill is proposed to implement a lifelong ban on the sale of tobacco products to individuals born after January 1, 2009, who will not be legally allowed to purchase and consume tobacco products. The bill also aims to prohibit the sale of all e-cigarettes and nicotine products to those under the age of 18, and authorizes the government to establish stricter regulations on the flavors, packaging, and display of e-cigarettes to reduce their appeal to minors.

The proposal also includes a comprehensive ban on e-cigarette advertisements and sponsorships, covering public places visible to minors such as buses, cinemas, and store windows.

Currently, the bill is at the committee review stage.