The New Tobacco and Vapes Bill 2024 An Update for October

Introduction:

It’s been a whole 8 months since the Tobacco and Vapes Bill 2024 was introduced into the House of Commons back in March 2024. Since then, it seems it has been put on the backburner, thanks to a few factors stirring around in parliament. So where are we now? And what should the vaping community expect in the coming months?

The future of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill 2024:

The Tobacco and Vapes Bill 2024 has continued to evolve since its introduction in March, but its progress has faced some roadblocks, particularly due to the UK's general election in July 2024. Initially, the bill aimed to create the first "smoke-free generation" by banning the sale of tobacco to anyone born after January 1, 2009.

This would effectively phase out smoking over the coming decades, while also introducing tighter regulations on vaping products, especially to curb underage vaping.

Due to the election, it didn’t make it through the final stages of parliamentary approval in time. This delay has pushed the bill's fate into a more uncertain future.
Both major parties, Labour and the Conservatives, have indicated that they remain committed to the core elements of the bill, with hopes that it will be reintroduced in the next legislative session.

What does the Tobacco and Vapes Bill 2024 mean for vapers?:

The main concern from the government regarding vaping is the increase in youth vaping. To this end, they wish to bring about restrictions that in theory should curb this problem. Particularly, we may see a ban on certain flavours that appeal to children (think “Gummy Bear” or “Cotton Candy”) along with restrictions on packaging designs.

Another proposed change would be the increase on duty for vaping products (much like cigarettes in the past), meaning that we could potentially see the prices of imported vape products skyrocket.

The bill heavily focuses on the restriction and potential ban on all disposable vape products. Seen by critics as a harm to the environment and human wellbeing, disposables could fall under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 that bans such items from sale. If disposables are classed as such we could have to wave our Lost Marys goodbye.

Public Opinion and Debate:

The legislation has sparked significant debate, with proponents arguing that it is a necessary public health measure to reduce the burden of smoking-related diseases, which claim 80,000 lives annually in the UK. They also stress that youth vaping has surged dramatically, with 20.5% of children having tried vaping by 2023.

Critics, on the other hand, have raised concerns about the potential unintended consequences of the bill. Some fear that banning tobacco sales to future generations could push individuals towards illicit markets increasing supply of unregulated tobacco and vape products.

Key players in the vaping community have also called the bill “misguided” and “ill-informed”. Stating that the powers that be, don’t understand how important vaping is as a tool for smoking cessation. They also highlight how an increased duty on vaping products could be a blatant cash grab by the government, disguised as a concern for public health.

Conclusion:

It’s safe to say this Tobacco and Vapes Bill has got the whole vaping community hot and bothered. But with limited and vague information about the state and content of this bill, we are left only to speculate what’s to come. In the meantime we hold our fingers to the pulse and observe what may come to pass in the following months.

Written by Jakub.O