The government has introduced its Tobacco and Vapes Bill in Parliament today.
The Bill will see anyone born after 2009 prohibited from legally buying a cigarette for the rest of their lives, as well as imposing strict restrictions on other nicotine products such as vapes, heat not burn products and nicotine pouches.
Mike Salem, The UK Country Associate for the Consumer Choice Center (CCC), reacted to the news: “Whilst it is predictable that the prohibition was going to be introduced, I am extremely concerned and disappointed with how little regard the government has had for consumers’ voices, particularly the young voices.”
The legislation was originally introduced by the previous Conservative government but fell through as the election was called. Labour has brought back a more restrictive legislation that has so far proved unpopular with consumers.
Salem also raised concerns about the impact this will have on increasing illegal activities and profits of the illicit market. 2023 marked the highest number of illicit cigarettes sold in the UK, with 1 in 5 cigarettes consumed being supplied illegally.
“It is no surprise that gangs and illegal suppliers are already positioning themselves in this market in anticipation of the prohibition. Experiences of prohibitions in the [United] States, South Africa, and Australia have shown how profitable blanket bans are for them and how disastrous they are for the rest.”
Salem’s comments refer to the state of Victoria in Australia, where a complete prohibition of these products resulted in gang warfare and exposing children to criminal activities such as arson.
Salem added: “The Labour Party has shown that it is the Party of Boomers, and is letting young people down. It has tightened the employment market, making it more expensive to hire youngsters, increased tuition fees, leaving them with higher debts, increased levy on alcohol and soft drinks, and now further intervened in our lifestyle choices, leaving us worse off and exposed to illegal markets. Where is the vision or future for the country and young people?”
Finally, on alternatives to smoking, Salem pointed out that selling vapes for under 18s is already illegal and restricting safer methods of consuming nicotine such as heat not burn and pouches makes it extremely difficult for those who are trying hard to quit smoking to do so permanently and positively. He concluded by saying: “Not everyone can quit cold turkey and we hear testimonies from many consumers about how life changing these alternatives have been in their smoking cessation journeys, I just wish the government would listen to them.”
The CCC calls on the government to first ensure existing laws on banning the sale of nicotine products to under 18s are properly followed and warns against this Bill which will deliver worse public health outcomes and leave consumers and children in a vulnerable position.
