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MPs call for ‘polluter pays’ levy on Big Tobacco
The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Smoking and Health has called for the Government to impose a levy on tobacco companies, aiming to make them financially accountable for the societal harm caused by smoking. The proposed ‘polluter pays’ model would raise £700 million annually to support initiatives that help people quit smoking and reduce health inequalities.
The report outlines a range of policy measures to reinforce efforts already underway through the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which includes banning cigarette sales to those born after 2008. Among the recommendations are tighter affordability controls on tobacco, mandatory data disclosures from tobacco firms, and enhanced health messaging inside cigarette packs. The MPs are also urging the Government to set ambitious national targets to significantly reduce smoking rates within the next five years and eliminate smoking altogether within two decades.
Additional measures include addressing cigar lounge exemptions, improving access to cessation support, and curbing youth vaping.
Source: ITV News, 2 April 2025
See also:
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Government urged to close cigar lounge loophole
MPs are pushing for tighter tobacco control measures, including the closure of cigar lounges – currently the only places in the UK where indoor smoking is still permitted. These venues, mainly in central London, have an exemption to the smoking ban allowing customers to sample cigars, but a new report calls for an end to this exception as part of broader legislative reforms.
The proposals come as the Tobacco and Vapes Bill continues its path through Parliament, with existing provisions to phase out smoking for future generations and restrict public smoking and vaping. However, the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Smoking and Health is advocating for more ambitious steps, including eliminating cigarette filters to counter misleading perceptions of safety and reduce environmental harm.
Public health leaders argue these measures are necessary to tackle the long-term damage caused by smoking. In contrast, Christopher Snowdon of the tobacco industry-linked Institute of Economic Affairs claims that banning filters could indirectly outlaw cigarettes and argues that the levy amounts to an additional tax on smokers.
Source: The Telegraph, 2 April 2025
Editorial note: The exemption to smokefree legislation was originally intended to allow customers to sample cigars or pipe tobacco before making a purchase. However, in practice this has enabled the continued operation of cigar lounges attached to specialist tobacconists, bars and hotels. Many of these lounges appear to allow smoking indoors not just for the purpose of sampling products but as a core part of their business. The number of cigar lounges appears to be increasing with some attached to high-end hotels and shops such as Harrods. This clearly goes beyond the purpose of the original exemption for specialist tobacconists.
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18 years since the indoor smoking ban in Wales
A generation of young adults in Wales has now reached adulthood without ever experiencing smoking indoors in public spaces, thanks to a ban introduced 18 years ago. The 2007 legislation, which prohibited smoking in enclosed areas, marked a significant cultural shift and has contributed to reduced exposure to secondhand smoke, particularly among children.
Public health experts credit the law with transforming societal norms, though challenges remain in communities where smoking continues to be widespread. Certain groups, such as people with mental health issues and those living in more deprived areas, still experience disproportionately high smoking rates.
Despite progress, smoking-related health impacts persist. Thousands of hospital admissions and deaths in Wales each year remain linked to tobacco use. The Welsh Government aims to achieve a smoke-free Wales by 2030, defined as fewer than 5% of adults smoking, but prevalence remains at 13%.
Source: BBC News, 1 April 2025
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Retailers told to clear shelves of disposable vapes before June ban
Shops are being reminded to sell off their remaining stock of disposable vapes ahead of a nationwide ban that comes into effect on 1 June 2025. The new regulation prohibits the sale of single use vaping products, prompting the government to call on retailers to prepare by running down existing supplies and avoiding further purchases of non-compliant items.
After the deadline, businesses holding banned products must ensure they are safely disposed of, as continued sales will be illegal. Enforcement measures in England will include stop notices and initial fines of £200, with repeat violations potentially leading to unlimited fines or prosecution.
Source: Better Retailing, 1 April 2025
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Belgium bans tobacco displays and restricts sales in larger shops
Belgium has introduced new regulations prohibiting the display of tobacco products in all retail outlets and banning their sale entirely in shops over 400 square metres, including supermarkets. The move, aimed at reducing impulse purchases and limiting the visibility of addictive products, is part of the country’s broader strategy to achieve a smokefree generation by 2040.
The latest measures follow the January ban on disposable e-cigarettes and apply to both cigarettes and vapes. While consumers can still purchase these products, they must now request them directly from staff, as visible displays are no longer permitted. Retailers, however, have received little official guidance, leading to a variety of improvised solutions to comply with the new rules.
A proposed ban on smoking in outdoor café terraces is also under consideration as part of future tobacco control efforts.
Source: Euronews, 1 April 2025
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Written Question
Asked by James Wild, Conservative, North West Norfolk
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the tobacco duty escalator on tobacco excise revenues.
Answered by James Murray, Labour, Ealing North
Alongside any changes to Tobacco Duty at Budget, the Government publishes a Tax Information and Impact Note, including an impact assessment, to detail the expected impacts. The summary of impacts from the latest changes to tobacco duty at Autumn Budget 2024 can be found here: Changes to tobacco duty rates from 30 October 2024 - GOV.UK.
As with all taxes, the Government keeps tobacco duty rates under review during its yearly Budget process.
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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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