Tobacco and Vapes Bill 2024 Explained

Introduction

The Department of Health and Social Care introduced the Tobacco and Vapes Bill 2024 to the House of Commons. The bill aims to reshape the tobacco and vaping landscape in the UK and reduce youth vaping.

This pivotal piece of legislation seeks to bring forward a new era of public health, with a clear goal: to create the first ever smoke free generation and address the growing concerns around vaping, especially among young people.

As a vaping journalist, it's important to explain this bill clearly and analyse how it will affect our vaping community. This is especially important for those who use vaping to quit smoking.

The bill includes new and strict measures. These measures show the government's commitment to stopping the tobacco epidemic and reducing the rise of vaping among young people.

For vapers, understanding the nuances of this legislation is key. In this article, we aim to address your important questions so that you can confidently make informed decisions about the future.

Are disposables being banned in the UK?

Among its many provisions, the Tobacco and Vapes Bill 2024 has significant implications for disposable vapes, which have surged in popularity, particularly among young people.

This trend raises concerns not only due to health risks but also because of the environmental impact associated with the disposal of these products.

While the bill primarily focuses on reducing the appeal and availability of vaping products to underage users through measures like flavour restrictions, packaging regulations, and ,sales limitations, it indirectly addresses the environmental concerns related to disposable vapes.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) is spearheading efforts to tackle the environmental issue, with draft regulations under discussion aimed at banning the sale and supply of disposable vapes. This move is part of a broader strategy to mitigate pollution and waste resulting from the widespread use of disposable vaping products.

Although this bill does not directly address banning disposable vapes it certainly underscores the UK government's push towards disposable vape prohibition under the premise of a dual commitment to public health and environmental sustainability.

By potentially phasing out disposable vapes, the government seeks to curb the health risks associated with vaping among young people and reduce environmental damage.

For consumers and stakeholders in the vaping industry, this supposed legislation signals a push towards more sustainable alternatives to tobacco and disposable vaping products.

As of yet we there is no named legislation that solidifies banning disposable vaping devices however the government has issued a deadline for April 2025 for this to come into effect.

When will they introduce the tobacco and vapes bill?

The Tobacco and Vapes Bill was introduced in the House of Commons on March 20, 2024. This marks the beginning of the legislative process for the bill, setting the stage for discussions, amendments, and eventual enactment into law.

However it is still subject to parliamentary approval and procedures. What this means for the vaping scene as a whole is that nothing is yet set in stone and many of the proposed changes could be altered or revoked entirely.

As of yet we still do not have a solid date for when these changes will be brought into law.

Are vapes being banned in the UK?

No, the Tobacco and Vapes Bill 2024 does not mean a ban on all vaping. Instead, it introduces measures to regulate the sale, distribution, and presentation of vaping products to reduce their appeal and accessibility to underage users.

The bill aims to support the potential of a smoke free generation by making it harder for children and teenagers to start vaping, without banning vaping products for adult users who may use them as a tool for quitting smoking.

The focus is on regulation rather than an outright ban on vaping for all age groups.

Will the new bill restrict or ban the flavours of vape liquids that I enjoy?

Under the Tobacco and Vapes Bill 2024, the UK government is granted the power to regulate the flavours and contents of vaping products.

This means certain flavours could potentially be restricted or banned, especially if they're determined to be particularly appealing to children and teenagers.

The aim is to reduce the attractiveness of vapes to young people while balancing the needs of adult smokers who use vaping as a means to quit smoking.

While the bill does not specify which flavour options will be targeted, it sets the stage for future regulations that could impact the availability of certain flavoured vaping products.

Will I still be able to buy vaping products online?

Yes, you will still be able to buy vaping products online under the Tobacco and Vapes Bill 2024 so long as they still adhere to the Tobacco Products Directive (TPD), such as 600 puff disposable vape kits. However, the bill and associated measures may introduce stricter regulations to ensure online sales comply with age verification requirements which we have already implemented as a company.

This is done to prevent underage access to vaping products. This could involve more robust age checks and possibly other restrictions to make sure that vaping products are sold responsibly and in accordance with the new legal framework.

The intention behind these regulations is to safeguard young people while still allowing adult consumers to access vaping products.

Will the price of vaping products increase because of this bill?

The Tobacco and Vapes Bill 2024 itself focuses on regulatory measures rather than directly setting prices for vaping products.

However, it does provide powers to regulate the vaping market more closely, which could indirectly affect the cost of these products.

For example, new regulations around packaging, flavours, and the sale of vaping products might lead to increased costs for manufacturers and retailers, which could be passed on to consumers.

Additionally, the UK government has discussed introducing a vaping product duty, separate from the bill, aimed at discouraging non-smokers and young people from taking up vaping.

If implemented, this tax could increase the price of vaping products. The duty aims to make vaping products affordable for smokers looking to switch. While aiming to discourage non-smokers from starting to vape.

Can I still buy vapes if I'm over 18?

The Tobacco and Vapes Bill 2024 maintains the legal age for purchasing vaping products in the UK at 18. However, it also introduces stricter regulations to ensure compliance with this age limit.

This involves taking measures to prevent young people from purchasing vaping products. It also involves measures to stop adults from buying these products for individuals under the age of 18.

One significant change proposed in the broader context of tobacco control is making it an offence to sell tobacco products to individuals born on or after the 1st of January 2009 regardless of whether they are over 18, effectively increasing the legal age to buy cigarettes by one year every year.

For example, in the year 2050, someone at the age of 40 (who is born after January 1st 2009) will not be able to legally purchase cigarettes or other tobacco products.

While this specific age restriction targets tobacco products, the enhanced focus on preventing underage access to vaping products may lead to more stringent checks and enforcement across the board to ensure compliance with existing age restrictions for vaping.

Therefore, while the age of sale for purchasing vaping products remains at 18, the new bill aims to strengthen the enforcement of these restrictions and reduce underage vaping through more effective regulation and penalties for non-compliance.

What happens if a business is selling vapes to people under the age of 18?

If a business is caught selling vaping products to individuals under the age of 18 either deliberately or through negligence, they could face legal consequences under the current UK laws, and these penalties are likely to be reinforced or expanded with the implementation of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill 2024. The consequences can include:

• Fines: Businesses can be fined for each instance of selling electronic cigarettes or other vaping products to underage customers. The exact amount can vary, but significant penalties are intended to deter businesses from breaking the law.
• Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs): The bill introduces the power for enforcement authorities in England and Wales to issue Fixed Penalty Notices for the underage sale of tobacco and vaping products, simplifying the process for penalizing violations.
• Criminal Charges: In more serious cases, or for repeated offences, criminal charges can be brought against the business or individuals responsible for the sales.
• Restricted Sales Orders: Repeat offenders can face Restricted Sales Orders, limiting their ability to sell these products for a specified period.

The intention behind these penalties is to ensure compliance with age restrictions, safeguarding young people from the health risks associated with tobacco and nicotine use. Businesses are encouraged to implement rigorous age verification processes which we have already enacted across our business, to prevent underage sales and avoid these penalties.

Conclusion

In conclusion the Tobacco and Vapes Bill 2024 has the potential to really shake up the vaping market as we know it. Meaning a lot of the aspects of vaping we have become familiar with could set to change such as the focus on vape flavour restrictions and an introduction of an all-out ban on disposable vapes.

However for those already over the age of 18 that enjoy traditional vaping, this won't mean the end of the world as no increase in age restrictions will be imposed, and as far as anyone knows an outright ban on vaping wont be happening.

Please let us know in the comments below what your opinions are on this new bill we would love to hear your feedback on this subject.

Written by Jakub.O