UK Parliament Approves Tobacco and Vapes Bill, Moves to Next Stage

According to Reuters on November 27, the UK Parliament approved the Tobacco and Vapes Bill with a vote of 415 to 47 on Tuesday, November 26, paving the way for the bill to move to the next stage in Parliament.

The bill includes provisions to ban e-cigarette advertising and the sale of vapes through vending machines, as well as restrictions on vape packaging and flavors appealing to youth, such as bubblegum and cotton candy.

"The number of children vaping is growing at an alarming rate and without urgent intervention, we're going to have a generation of children with long-term addiction," Labour health secretary Wes Streeting said.

Previously, the Conservative government had announced similar measures to create the first smoke-free generation, but these plans failed to become law before the summer election. 

Conservative Shadow Health Minister Caroline Johnson told Parliament before the vote, "Whatever our views on this bill are, it is a bold legislation of good intention. t's not clear whether it will work but we have to all hope ... that it does."

The bill has also faced criticism, with Conservative MP Robert Jenrick stating on X (formerly Twitter) that he voted against it, saying, "Educate more, ban less. Say no to the nanny state".

The bill will move to the committee stage, followed by a third reading in the House of Commons, and then be passed to the House of Lords for final approval, ultimately receiving royal assent—this process requires no further debate.

According to consultation feedback, the new bill will give the government the power to expand the smoking ban to certain outdoor spaces, such as children's playgrounds and areas outside schools and hospitals. In 2007, the UK banned smoking in nearly all enclosed public spaces, including pubs and workplaces.

Previously, the government had abandoned plans to ban smoking outside pubs and cafes due to concerns about the impact on the hospitality industry.

The bill will also introduce a licensing system for retailers selling tobacco, vapes, and nicotine products, with a £200 fine for retailers who sell these products to minors.

The standardization of packaging for all tobacco products is also under consideration.