The UK’s Tobacco and vape Bill entered its final stage in the House of Commons on Wednesday but has been resisted by tobacco companies who say a ban lacks evidence and would hurt retailers.
Key points:
1. The UK’s Tobacco and vapeBill is reintroduced to the House of Commons this week and is expected to enter its final stage on Wednesday (26th).
2. Big tobacco companies strongly oppose the bill, claiming it lacks merit and could hurt retailers.
3. The UK government has announced a £10 million budget to support legislation to curb underage sales prevent harmful products from flowing into community shops, and promote a smoke-free future.
UK Tobacco and Vape Bill faces resistance from tobacco companies
According to the Mirror on March 24, this week. The UK’s Tobacco and vape Bill was resubmitted to the House of Commons. However, activists say big tobacco companies are using old tactics to resist the landmark legislation.
According to the latest research, more than a dozen evidentiary responses to the bill have been received so far. The bill not only proposes to ban the sale of cigarettes to anyone born after 2009 but also contains measures to prohibit the intentional branding of vapes to appeal to children. The legislation is expected to reach its final stage in the lower house on Wednesday.
This week will be a critical phase
According to new research by the University of Bath and the Tobacco Control Research Group (TCRG). The tobacco and nicotine industry made 43 submissions to the government, and the report says nearly half of the submissions (42%) came directly from large multinational tobacco companies or organizations linked to them. They also oppose a generational ban on smoking, claiming the ban lacks evidence, will hurt retailers, and fuel black market sales.
Dr Britta Matthes, from TCRG and the University of Bath, said:
- “Big Tobacco is still relying on the old playbook to undermine public health policy. Policymakers must be aware of these strategies to ensure that industry influence does not weaken vital regulations.”
Hazel Cheeseman. CEO of Action on Smoking Health added,
- “The tobacco industry has always produced an old set of arguments against every regulation designed to reduce smoking, and their over-the-top arguments have rarely been borne out in the past and are unlikely to be borne out in the future.”
A spokesman for the Department of Health and Social Care said,
- “In support of the bill, the government has just announced a new £10 million budget to help curb underage sales and prevent harmful tobacco and vape products from getting into local shops. We are taking the concrete actions necessary to deliver on our plan for change and move towards a healthier, smoke-free future.”
