It is concerning to read reports today that our progress in tackling smoking rates appears to have stalled, with more young people taking up smoking since the pandemic. Smoking is the biggest cause of preventable death in the UK, and places huge pressures on our NHS.
I fully support Government plans to restrict access to tobacco products further, and was pleased to submit my response to the Government’s recent consultation on creating a smokefree generation and tackling youth vaping.
While Runnymede and Weybridge have very low rates of smoking when compared with other areas across the country, action needs to be taken both locally and nationally to combat the high levels of severe chronic illness and tens of thousands of deaths each year caused by smoking. But we must also regulate the vape market too, to ensure we do not simply move from one problem to the next.
Vaping might help people to quit smoking; however, there are still risks involved and it is important this market is clearly and carefully regulated to protect consumers, especially children. We know that vapes are currently being marketed to people who would never have tried a cigarette, and I am increasingly being contacted by parents and local schools with their concerns regarding worrying upwards trends in vape use amongst children and teenagers.
My consultation response sets out my full support for a ban on the sale of tobacco products to those born on or after 1 January 2009, while at the same time taking steps to reduce the appeal and accessibility of vape products to children and adolescents. I have also made clear my support for, amongst others, the following measures:
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restricting the flavours of vape which can be sold to tobacco, mint, and menthol, to reduce the appeal of these products to younger people while also preserving choice for adults wishing to quit smoking;
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vapes being kept behind the counter in shops to make them less accessible to adolescents;
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a ban on disposable vapes, which are responsible for litter pollution, and relatively inexpensive compared to reuseable vapes which means they are more attainable for younger people.
You can view my full consultation response below.
