The U.K. government will introduce its Tobacco and Vapes Bill in Parliament today. The legislation involves some of the world’s strictest anti-smoking rules, including a measure banning younger people from smoking. However, the government abandoned plans for a ban on smoking outside pubs and cafes after concerns were raised about the impact on the hospitality industry.
The proposed legislation gives the government power to ban smoking outside specific outdoor spaces such as children’s playgrounds, schools and hospitals. But the plans will be subject to consultation.
The previous government had announced similar measures to create the first smoke-free generation. However, those plans failed to become law before the general election in the summer when the party lost power.
The new legislation ensures that anyone aged 15 this year, or younger, will be banned from buying cigarettes, and aims to make vapes less appealing to children.
“This government is taking bold action to create the first smokefree generation, clamp down on kids getting hooked on nicotine through vapes, and protect children and vulnerable people from the harms of second-hand smoke,” said Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting in a statement.
Britain banned smoking in almost all enclosed public spaces, including bars and workplaces, in 2007.
A budget announcement last week included extra taxes on vaping, which is subject to 20 percent on VAT, but did not attract extra levies as tobacco does. A new flat rate duty of £2.20 per 10ml of vaping liquid was announced.
With tobacco duties, the increases are usually immediate from midnight on the same day as the budget. However, the vaping duty is not due to come into force until 2026.
Creating a two-tier society in which some adults are permitted to buy tobacco and others aren’t discriminates against younger adults.
While welcoming the decision to drop a proposed ban on smoking outside pubs and other other hospitality venues, smokers’ lobby group Forest said it was concerned by other measures in the bill.
“Banning smoking outside hospitals is heartless and cruel,” said Forest Director Simon Clark. “Smoking in the open air poses no risk to non-smokers, including children, but it can be a comfort to patients, visitors and staff who smoke and want a quiet stress-free moment.”
Meanwhile, increasing the age of sale by one year every year, as proposed on the generational tobacco ban part of the bill, would infantilize future generations of adults, according to Forest.
“If you can buy alcohol, drive a car, join the army, and vote at 18, you should also be allowed to purchase tobacco,” said Clark.
“Creating a two-tier society in which some adults are permitted to buy tobacco and others aren’t discriminates against younger adults.
“It will cause huge confusion in shops and could lead to even more retail crime.
“It will also drive younger adults to the black market and into the arms of criminal gangs.”