Scottish Public Health Minister has welcomed draft legislation
to strengthen controls on tobacco and vapes.
The Scottish Government will introduce a Legislative Consent
Motion enabling Scottish Parliament scrutiny of the revised
Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which was tabled today (Tuesday 5
November) in the UK Parliament. The measures would apply across
the UK.
The Minister said:
“We welcome the UK Government's reintroduction of the UK-wide
Tobacco and Vapes Bill and have worked closely across the four
nations on its development. The exact provisions and applications
to Scotland will need approval by the Scottish Parliament and we
are beginning the process to enable that scrutiny.
“We have been highlighting the need for this legislation, which
is supported by Chief Medical Officers across the UK and can help
us create a tobacco-free generation. The commitment to gradually
end the sale of tobacco products to anyone born on or after the
1st of January 2009 will protect children from the toxic effects
of smoking. Banning vapes and nicotine products from being
branded, promoted and advertised to children can help stop the
next generation from becoming addicted to nicotine.
“Smoking causes huge harms to individuals, their families and
loved-ones and wider impacts for the National Health Service and
society, while being a major contributor to health inequalities;
all of which is why our shared goal is to eradicate tobacco use.”
Background
The Scottish Government agreed along with the other two devolved
administrations and the UK Government to support a Tobacco and
Vapes Bill following a 2023 public consultation.
Smoking in indoor spaces and near hospitals is already banned,
but the Bill proposes extending those measures to help achieve a
tobacco-free Scotland by 2034. It will also require all
businesses selling nicotine and herbal smoking products to join
the existing register of tobacco and nicotine vapour retailers.
