According to the Independent, the initiative to create a “smoke-free generation” has received support from both houses of the British Parliament. Members of the House of Lords approved the “Tobacco and E-cigarettes Bill” in its third reading on March 9th, with the aim of preventing anyone aged 17 and under from purchasing cigarettes in the future.
Under the proposed law, shopkeepers will be prohibited from selling tobacco, herbal smoking products or cigarette paper to individuals born on or after January 1, 2009. Adults who purchase vapes or nicotine products on behalf of children will also face fines.
The Ministry of Health will be granted new powers to control the flavors and ingredients of smoking products, including e-cigarettes, and to supervise the appearance, size, texture and shape of their packaging.
After the third reading is completed, the bill will now return to the British House of Commons for consideration of the amendments proposed by the House of Lords.
Baroness Merron, the Minister of Health, stated in the House of Lords that smoking is “the number one preventable cause of death, disability and poor health”. Tobacco claims the lives of approximately 80,000 people every year. She said that although tobacco remains the greatest threat, this legislation is not only aimed at protecting future generations from the harm of tobacco, but also at protecting them from nicotine addiction.
Lord Kamall, the shadow health secretary of the Conservative Party, warned that ministers would be granted “considerable discretionary powers” to decide on rules regarding flavors, advertising restrictions, and the establishment of no-smoking zones for vapes.
He said that he hoped the relevant regulations would be based on solid evidence. The regulations should not impose unnecessary burdens on retailers, especially corner stores and other small retailers, nor should they place any burden on the catering industry.
He also stated that the regulations must recognize the dependence of former smokers on specific electronic cigarette products and descriptions, which are part of their transition from smoking to quitting smoking. Such products should not be banned as they might make quitting smoking more difficult.
Image source: Independent