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** 24 October 2024
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** UK
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** Government to ban single-use vapes in England from June 2025 (#1)
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** Casual smoking on the rise despite overall decline, study finds (#2)
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** Questions raised over peer's vape industry role after parliamentary activity (#3)
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** Peers call for fines to enforce stricter food health regulations (#4)
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** Parliamentary activity
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** Written question (#5)
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** UK
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** Government to ban single-use vapes in England from June 2025
The UK government has confirmed a ban on disposable vapes in England, set to take effect from June 2025. This measure aims to reduce environmental harm and curb the increasing use of these products by children. Businesses will have until June 1 to clear existing stock. Officials hope this is a step toward a circular economy, reducing waste and advancing sustainability.
Additionally, the government plans to introduce broader regulations under the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which will effectively ban the sale of tobacco to anyone born on or after 1^st of January 2009. The Bill will also tackle novel nicotine products such as vapes and nicotine pouches, aiming to prevent young people from becoming addicted to nicotine.
Health Minister Andrew Gwynne emphasised that the new measures will protect children by reducing the appeal of vapes. Previous estimates showed a significant increase in vape usage among teenagers. Last year, analysis revealed that almost five million single-use vapes discarded each week, underlining the environmental need for the ban.
Source: The Guardian, 24 October 2024
See also: ASH - Disposable vapes to be banned by 1st June 2025 ([link removed])
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** Casual smoking on the rise despite overall decline, study finds
A recent study reveals that although smoking rates in England have declined, the proportion of adults smoking casually has increased. Researchers found that non-daily smokers, especially younger adults and those who vape or drink heavily, often underestimate the risks of smoking and show less motivation to quit. Dr Sarah Jackson of University College London and the lead author of the study highlighted the need for targeted public health campaigns to address these misconceptions. Meanwhile, Cancer Research UK's Dr Ian Walker urged the government to fund cessation services and introduce stricter tobacco laws to curb smoking.
Source: The Independent, 24 October 2024
See also: BMC Medicine - Trends in non-daily cigarette smoking in England, 2006–2024 ([link removed])
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** Questions raised over peer's vape industry role after parliamentary activity
Lord Porter, a Conservative peer, faced scrutiny after joining an advisory board for HG Innovation, a major vape producer, following his parliamentary inquiries on vaping regulations. The company, behind Lost Mary and Elf Bar, two of the most popular brands among youth, has faced criticism due to concerns about their appeal to minors. Hazel Cheeseman, Chief Executive of Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), criticised HG Innovation for their role in marketing vapes to children and urged the government to review its engagement with vaping companies or their proxies.
Source: The Times, 23 October 2024
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** Peers call for fines to enforce stricter food health regulations
A House of Lords committee has proposed tougher measures on businesses to combat obesity, suggesting fines for companies failing to reduce sugar and salt in products. The report advocates stricter regulation, including expanding the sugar tax and implementing a blanket ban on junk food advertising. The committee criticised past approaches relying on individual responsibility and voluntary compliance, calling for mandatory targets and accountability for large companies. Experts support the measures but warn of industry resistance, urging immediate and specific actions to address the growing public health crisis.
Source: The Independent, 24 October 2024
See also: Food, Diet and Obesity Parliamentary Committee - The Government needs a plan to fix our broken food system and turn the tide on the public health emergency ([link removed])
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** Parliamentary activity
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** Written Question
Asked by Andrew Rosindell, Conservative, Romford
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of increasing the powers of Trading Standards officers to tackle tobacco duty avoidance.
Answered by James Murray, Labour, Ealing North, Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury
Trading Standards have a range of powers to effectively tackle the illicit supply of tobacco.
In 2023 those powers were extended to enable Trading Standards to tackle non-compliance with the UK’s Tobacco Track and Trace system, which regulates tobacco at all stages of the supply chain, from manufacture through to retail.
These powers enable Trading Standards to make referrals to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) on potential breaches of the law, and for HMRC to impose penalties. HMRC are responsible for tackling tax avoidance and evasion.
Trading Standards and HMRC work closely together on tackling tobacco duty evasion. In 2021 they launched a joint initiative, called Operation CeCe to specifically target the illicit tobacco market. Through sharing of intelligence, combined with local knowledge and expertise, Operation CeCe contributes significantly to the detection and seizure of illicit tobacco products at retail level. Since introduction, more than 4,900 seizures have been made, and over £28 million of revenue loss has been prevented.
Source: Hansard, 23 October 2024
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ASH Daily News is a digest of published news on smoking-related topics. ASH is not responsible for the content of external websites. ASH does not necessarily endorse the material contained in this bulletin.
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