UK Government introduce Tobacco and Vapes Bill
The UK Government bill to impose stricter restrictions on the sale of Tobacco and Vapes has been introduced to the UK Parliament this month.
The Bill will require the legislative consent of the Scottish Parliament. However, the measures, as set out, have been welcomed by Scottish Ministers and are intended to apply to the whole of the UK.
Some of the key measures introduced in the Tobacco and Vapes Bill include:
Provision prohibiting the sale of tobacco products, herbal smoking products and cigarette papers to people born on or after 1st January 2009 (Anyone who can legally purchase tobacco before that date will not be prevented from doing so in future).
In store measures such as new display notices will also be required.
New powers will also be introduced to allow Ministers to restrict vape flavours, flavour names and packaging.
The conferred powers will also allow government to change how vapes are legally displayed and placed in stores.
Enforcement officers’ powers will also be strengthened with ‘on the spot fines’ of £100 to uphold the new laws and tackle underage sales of tobacco and vaping products.
The bill also sets out a range of enforcement measures to prevent issues arising such as proxy purchasing, alongside various new powers and penalties relating to non-compliance.
Additionally, both the UK Government and the Scottish Government have committed to ban the sale and supply of disposable vapes from April 2025 under separate environmental legislation.
You can read the full press release from the UK Government here.
The Scottish Government press release, welcoming the bill, is available here.