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** 26 November 2024
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** UK
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** Tobacco and Vapes Bill aims to 'prevent a life trapped by addiction' (#1)
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** Kemi Badenoch to oppose smoking ban supported by Rishi Sunak (#2)
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** Labour set to unveil £100m tax on gambling firms (#3)
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** International
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** US Supreme Court denies tobacco companies' appeal on graphic warning labels (#5)
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** UK
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** Tobacco and Vapes Bill aims to 'prevent a life trapped by addiction'
MPs are set to vote on the Tobacco and Vapes Bill today, which Health Secretary Wes Streeting describes as an "urgent intervention" to prevent children from becoming addicted to smoking and vaping. The bill will raise the legal smoking age for those born after 1 January 2009, restrict the sale and advertising of vapes to young people and introduce a licensing scheme for retailers selling tobacco and nicotine products. It would also ban vape advertising and sponsorship and prohibit the sale of vaping products to those under 18.
The bill includes measures to combat the rise in vaping among children, with potential restrictions on sweet vape flavours. Alongside the bill, the government has announced £70m for stop-smoking services and £10m for Trading Standards to tackle illegal tobacco and vaping products. Additionally, the government is considering expanding smoking bans to outdoor spaces like playgrounds, schools and hospital grounds, though it has ruled out banning smoking in pub gardens. New environmental legislation to ban single-use vapes will also be introduced by next summer.
Source: Sky News, 26 November 2024
Editorial note: The article states that the Bill will “provide stop smoking services with £70m in funding.” This is incorrect. The Bill does not include any provisions to fund stop smoking services. The £70m announced today is DHSC funding for local authority stop smoking services and is not directly related to the Bill.
See also: DHSC - MPs to vote on landmark smoking ban to stop cycle of addiction ([link removed]) | ASH briefing - The Tobacco and Vapes Bill: Second reading ([link removed])
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** Kemi Badenoch to oppose smoking ban supported by Rishi Sunak
Leader of the opposition Kemi Badenoch has confirmed she will vote against the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which aims to create a smoke-free generation by preventing young people from legally accessing tobacco and vapes. Despite the bill being a key part of Rishi Sunak's legacy, Badenoch, who opposed the bill when it was first introduced in April as business secretary, maintains her opposition. She expressed concerns that the legislation would create permanent inequalities between people born just one day apart.
Health officials, including Health Secretary Wes Streeting and Chief Medical Officer Prof Chris Whitty, argue that the bill is crucial to protect children from addiction to smoking and vaping. Tory MPs will have a free vote on the legislation, which is set for its second reading today.
Source: The Telegraph, 26 November 2024
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** Labour set to unveil £100m tax on gambling firms
The UK government is set to introduce a £100m annual levy on casinos and bookmakers to fund research, education, and treatment for gambling harms. This levy will replace the current voluntary system, with gambling companies required to pay 1% of their gross gambling yield, potentially raising £109m based on industry figures. The levy is expected to be implemented by April 2024.
The funds will support various initiatives, including NHS addiction clinics and smaller charities offering gambling-related education and counselling. However, there may be disagreements over which organisations, particularly the charity GambleAware, should receive the funds. The Gambling Minister, Baroness Twycross, may face tension over this issue, as the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) vies for control of the funds.
Source: The Guardian, 25 November 2024
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** International
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** US Supreme Court denies tobacco companies' appeal on graphic warning labels
The US Supreme Court decided not to hear an appeal from tobacco companies, including RJ Reynolds, challenging the FDA's requirement for graphic health warnings on cigarette packs. This means a lower court's ruling, which upheld the FDA's regulations, stands. The 2020 regulation mandates that graphic warnings, such as images of amputated feet and cancerous neck tumors, cover large portions of cigarette packs and advertisements. Tobacco companies argued that these warnings violated their First Amendment rights by compelling them to endorse an anti-smoking message. However, the Supreme Court's decision leaves in place the requirement, which aims to better educate the public on smoking's health risks.
Source: Daily Mail, 25 November 2024
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