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As the UK Tobacco and Vapes Bill re-enters Parliament, there is a palpable sense of urgency surrounding the country’s evolving approach to vaping and tobacco alternatives.
Introduced by health minister Wes Streeting, the bill aims to tackle rising youth vaping rates while ensuring that tobacco alternatives remain an effective harm-reduction tool for adult smokers. Notably, this comes alongside chancellor of the exchequer (finance minister) Rachel Reeves’s recent announcement of a flat-rate duty on vaping liquids set to take effect in 2026, illustrating a broader trend of increased regulation in the UK.
While the specifics of tax rates are important, the general shift towards stricter controls on vaping and tobacco products signals a significant turning point in public health policy.
The proposed legislation establishes a “generational endgame” for tobacco products, effectively prohibiting the sale of tobacco and herbal smoking products to anyone born on or after 1st January 2009. This ambitious policy seeks to phase out access to smoking entirely for younger generations. The bill also includes advertising restrictions, display regulations for vape products, and enhanced government powers to regulate packaging and advertising for nicotine products.
A notable new feature of the bill is the introduction of a licensing scheme for tobacco and nicotine product retailers, along with a ban on vape vending machines. Furthermore, restrictions would be placed on the public use of heated tobacco and vaping products, reflecting the government’s aim to curb youth exposure to these products.
Seeing the strengths and weaknesses
Marcus Saxton, CEO of Totally Wicked and chairman of the Independent British Vape Trade Association (IBVTA), has expressed both support for and concerns about the proposed legislation. He acknowledges the need to enforce stricter regulations against illegal sales to protect youth but cautions against potential over-regulation.
“There are things to be welcomed in this bill,” Saxton said. “Strengthened powers of enforcement against retailers who engage in illegal sales could help address the troubling rise in youth vaping. However, there is a danger that with so many legislative avenues being sought to reduce youth uptake of vaping, ‘regulatory overkill’ may hamper the future of vaping as the UK’s leading quit aid for adults.”
As part of the broader regulatory framework, the newly proposed flat-rate duty on vaping liquids raises questions about the financial implications for smokers seeking to transition to vaping. Saxton warns that increased costs could discourage individuals from quitting traditional tobacco products.
“Excessive restrictions on the types of products our members can provide may reduce the products’ appeal,” he said. “The cumulative impact of these measures presents a real risk of unintended negative consequences for public health.”
The impending ban on disposable vapes, expected to be implemented by 2025, adds further complexity to the conversation. While addressing valid concerns about youth access and environmental waste, the ban could inadvertently limit access for adult smokers who rely on the convenience of disposable products as a smoking-cessation tool.
For many smokers transitioning from traditional cigarettes, the simplicity of disposable vapes is a significant draw. If these products are eliminated, adult smokers may be deterred from switching to vaping altogether. Saxton emphasises that policies aimed at protecting youth must not undermine the effectiveness of vaping as a tool to quit smoking for adults.
Getting the balance right
As the UK navigates this evolving regulatory landscape, the need for open dialogue between policy-makers, public health experts and the tobacco alternatives industry is more critical than ever. Saxton advocates for a collaborative approach that prioritises public health outcomes while fostering an understanding of using these alternatives as a legitimate harm-reduction strategy.
“The government’s responsiveness to concerns around complex excise structures and operational challenges is promising,” he said. “However, we need policies that genuinely prioritise public health outcomes rather than blanket regulations that may drive unintended behaviours.”
The Tobacco and Vapes Bill marks a significant step in the UK’s journey towards becoming smoke-free by 2030. But as these regulations take shape, it is essential for policy-makers to carefully consider the long-term effects of smoking-cessation efforts. Harm reduction thrives when smokers have access to appealing, less-harmful alternatives – not when those alternatives become more challenging to access or financially burdensome.
As the UK moves forward with these new regulations, it is imperative to strike a balance between protecting youth and ensuring that adults have viable options for quitting smoking. The success of these policies will ultimately depend on thoughtful regulation that considers the broader implications for public health, consumer behaviour and smoking-cessation efforts.
– Antonia Di Lorenzo TobaccoIntelligence staff
