UK Government sets out next steps to create ‘smokefree generation’
The Prime Minister recently unveiled to introduce a new law to stop children who turn 14 this year or younger from ever legally being sold cigarettes, in a bid to create the first ‘smokefree generation’.
A consultation was launched by the UK Government on 12 October 2023. It is open to anyone, of any age, in the UK and includes proposals to restrict child-friendly flavours and bright coloured packaging. People have eight weeks to share their experiences and opinions and help shape future policy on vaping and smoking.
The consultation has support across all countries of the UK, with the Welsh government, Scottish Government, and the Northern Ireland Department of Health all giving it their support.
Proposals being consulted on include:
Making it an offence for anyone born on or after 1 January 2009 to be sold tobacco products
Restricting the flavours and descriptions of vapes so that vape flavours are less appealing to children – However the UK government want to ensure this is done in a way that continues to support adult smokers to switch
Regulating point of sale displays in retail outlets so that vapes are kept out of sight from children and away from products that appeal to them, such as sweets
Regulating vape packaging and product presentation, ensuring that, in the Governments view, neither the device or the packaging is targeted at children
Considering restricting the sale of disposable vapes, which in the Governments view, is linked to the rise in vaping in children
Exploring further restrictions for non-nicotine vapes and other nicotine consumer products such as nicotine pouches
Exploring whether increasing the price of vapes will reduce the number of young people using them
Introducing new powers for local authorities to issue on-the-spot fines (Fixed Penalty Notices) to enforce age of sale legislation of tobacco products and vapes
SGF will respond to this consultation in due course, and we encourage members to also take up the opportunity to do this.
The consultation closes at 11:59pm on 6 December 2023.