Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Tobacco and Vaping: Legislation

Tuesday 5 March 2024 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 3 Partly answered 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Paul Girvan asked when the Government plans to introduce a tobacco and vapes bill, noting that smoking kills 80,000 people annually and costs 17 billion in the UK.
  • The Minister assured Paul Girvan that all parts of the United Kingdom will be included in the once-in-a-generation public health intervention.
  • Bob Blackman urged the Minister to introduce the Bill quickly, highlighting concerns about young people taking up vaping, which can lead to nicotine addiction.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Paul Girvan DUP
Context

The question follows the announcement of a tobacco and vapes Bill aimed at reducing smoking-related deaths and costs in the UK, which kills 80,000 people annually and costs £17 billion. In Northern Ireland alone, smoking contributes to at least 1,300 smoking-related cancers per year.

Question

When she plans to introduce a tobacco and vapes bill given that shocking figures show smoking kills 80,000 people across the UK every year and costs society £17 billion in ill health and loss of productivity. In my constituency, some 13.9% continue to smoke despite guidance.

Answer from Andrea Leadsom

The hon. Member will know that smoking kills 80,000 people across the UK every year, costing society £17 billion in ill health and loss of productivity. The Government plans to introduce the tobacco and vapes Bill shortly for the whole of the United Kingdom.

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Q2 Paul Girvan DUP
Northern Ireland
Context

The question follows the announcement of a tobacco and vapes Bill aimed at reducing smoking-related deaths and costs in the UK. In Northern Ireland, smoking contributes to at least 1,300 smoking-related cancers per year.

Question

I thank the Minister for that answer. The age-related bill on sale of tobacco products will create the first generation of smoke-free people in the United Kingdom. It is vital we have same legislation in Northern Ireland where smoking contributes to at least 1,300 smoking-related cancers per year and some 13.9% continue to smoke irrespective of guidance. Will Government engage with Northern Ireland Executive?

Answer from Andrea Leadsom

The Secretary of State met the Northern Ireland Health Minister yesterday. I assure the hon. Gentleman that all parts of the United Kingdom will be included in this once-in-a-generation public health intervention.

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Q3 Bob Blackman Con Harrow East
Context

The question follows the announcement of a tobacco and vapes Bill aimed at reducing smoking-related deaths in the UK. Young people are increasingly taking up vaping, raising concerns about nicotine addiction.

Question

I urge my right hon. Friend to get on with introducing the Bill because every day we delay more people die from cancer and other smoking-related diseases. Does she agree that one concern is young people now taking up vaping instead of smoking, which clearly leads to nicotine addiction?

Answer from Andrea Leadsom

Yes. My hon. Friend raises an incredibly important point. Tobacco and vaping companies are now trying to recruit children, putting vapes next to the sweet counter with flavours like bubble gum and berry blast. We will bring forward this once-in-a-generation legislation shortly.

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