Overview

The Tobacco and Vapes Bill aims to reduce smoking and vaping rates, particularly among young people, by tightening regulations around the sale, distribution, advertising, and use of tobacco and vaping products. It introduces licensing schemes for retailers, bans the sale of snus, and expands smoke-free areas to include vaping and heated tobacco products.

Description

Sale and Distribution

The Bill raises the minimum age for purchasing tobacco products to 18 (anyone born on or after 1 January 2009), bans the sale of snus (a type of smokeless tobacco), and prohibits the sale of unpackaged cigarettes. It also restricts the sale of vaping and nicotine products to under-18s. Retail licensing schemes are introduced in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, requiring licenses for the sale and storage of tobacco and vaping products. The Bill creates restricted premises orders and restricted sale orders for persistent offenders. Local weights and measures authorities are responsible for enforcement.

Product and Information Requirements

The Bill empowers the Secretary of State to regulate the retail packaging, features, contents (including flavours), and substances released by tobacco, vaping, and nicotine products. It also introduces registration requirements for these products, requiring producers and importers to provide information about their products, including health and safety data. The government can impose testing requirements and can take action against non-compliant products.

Advertising and Sponsorship

The Bill aims to control the advertising and sponsorship of tobacco, vaping, and nicotine products, introducing offences for publishing, designing, printing, and distributing advertisements promoting these products. It also addresses online advertising and sponsorship and makes provision for specialist tobacconists.

Smoke-Free Places

The Bill expands smoke-free places in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to include vaping and heated tobacco products. Regulations will be made to determine which places and vehicles will be designated as smoke-free, vape-free, and heated tobacco-free.

Government Spending

The Bill is expected to increase government spending on enforcement and licensing schemes. Specific figures are not provided in the bill text.

Groups Affected

• Retailers: Will be subject to licensing requirements and restrictions on displays and sales (England, Wales, and Northern Ireland).
• Young people: Will be affected by the increased age restrictions on purchasing tobacco and vaping products.
• Manufacturers and importers: Will face new regulations on product standards, packaging, advertising, and information provision.
• Local authorities: Will be responsible for enforcing the new regulations.
• Vapers and smokers: Will face restrictions on where they can vape or smoke.
• Performers: May be granted exemptions from smoke-free/vape-free regulations in some situations.

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