The U.K.’s ban on smoking and vaping for young people will likely not be made law soon after Prime … [+]
Legislation to make it illegal to sell any kind of tobacco products to young people in the U.K. looks likely not to make into law after U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called a surprise election yesterday.
The “Smokefree Generation” legislation would have made it illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone born on, or after the 1st January 2009, essentially meaning people born after that date would never be legally allowed to buy tobacco products. In what was seen as an unusual success for the governing conservative party, the bill had been roundly supported by a cross-partisan collection of parliamentarians.
TOPSHOT – Britain’s Prime Minister Rishi Sunak delivers a speech to announce the date of the UK’s … [+]
However, the bill looks set to fall at the last hurdle as it has not been included on the “wash-up” list of legislation to be pushed through before the dissolution of parliament and start of campaigning.
The bill had been roundly welcomed by U.K. health charities and anti-smoking campaign groups and had proceeded through parliament despite pressure from tobacco lobbyists.
“If the Government confirm the Tobacco and Vapes Bill will not make it through wash-up, this will be a disheartening day for people affected by cancer, health professionals and campaigners who have worked tirelessly on the legislation,” said Michelle Mitchell, Chief Executive of Cancer Research U.K., which was heavily involved in developing and promoting the bill.
According to Cancer Research U.K., smoking kills one person every five minutes in the country and is responsible for an estimated 55,000 cancer deaths annually, more than a quarter of all deaths due to cancer.
The bill would have also given the government powers to reduce the appeal of e-cigarettes, also known as “vapes” to children by restricting vape liquid flavors, requiring plain, non-colorful packaging and placing restrictions on how such products are displayed in stores.
“Preventing cancer and saving lives should transcend party politics. It’s vital that all parties commit in their manifestos to bring this Bill back in the first King’s Speech after the General Election. Let’s prioritise this world-leading legislation and help cancers caused by smoking become a thing of the past,” said Mitchell.
