Members of Parliament are set to vote on a "landmark" Tobacco and Vapes Bill aimed at addressing the increasing use of vapes among children and those under 18. The vote, scheduled for

Tuesday, will seek to introduce significant measures to move the UK closer to becoming a smoke-free nation.

The proposed bill includes funding to support stop-smoking services and grants the UK Government the authority to extend the current indoor smoking ban to certain outdoor spaces in England, such as children’s playgrounds, school premises, and hospital grounds. Similar measures are already in place in Wales.

If passed, the bill will introduce major restrictions targeting vaping products that are deemed "attractive" to young people. Flavours like bubble gum, gummy bear, and cotton candy, which overtly appeal to children, would be prohibited. Additionally, restrictions would be placed on packaging designs aimed at young audiences. These proposals are subject to further consultation.

The bill would also allocate £10 million to trading standards to combat illicit trade in vaping and nicotine products. It would make it illegal to sell all vaping and nicotine products, including non-nicotine vapes and nicotine pouches, to anyone under 18. Loopholes allowing these products to be sold to minors would be closed.

Other measures include banning the sale of vapes in vending machines, where they are easily accessible to children, and prohibiting the free distribution of these products.

Although health policies are devolved in Wales, this anti-smoking initiative is part of a broader four-nation strategy. Similar measures have been implemented collaboratively across the UK in recent years.

If approved, the bill will proceed to the next stage of the parliamentary process. Wes Streeting, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, emphasized the urgency of the legislation, saying:
“The number of children vaping is growing at an alarming rate, and without urgent intervention, we risk creating a generation of young people with long-term addiction.

“It is unacceptable that harmful products are being deliberately marketed to children with brightly coloured packaging and flavours like ‘gummy bear’ and ‘rainbow burst.’ The Tobacco and Vapes Bill provides vital protections to prevent young people from falling into a life of addiction. It’s crucial that this bill is passed.” Photo by Susanne Nilsson, Wikimedia commons.