A bill that paves the way for a smoking ban in the UK has had its first reading in parliament and has been welcomed by nursing leaders.
If it passes all the stages to become law, the Tobacco and Vapes Bill will make it illegal to sell tobacco to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009, having the effect of phasing out smoking.
“This public health intervention is essential to stop the leading cause of preventable illness”
Duncan Burton
The bill – the idea for which was first put forward by the previous, Conservative government –also makes it an offence to advertise any tobacco or vaping products.
In addition, it gives the government the power to restrict the flavours, display and packaging of all types of vapes, as well as other nicotine products.
It comes as disposable vapes are due to be banned from 1 June 2025 under separate environmental legislation.
Chief nursing officer for England, Duncan Burton, said nurses and midwives should use their positions to back the bill.
He said: “I started my career in respiratory and stroke services and saw first-hand the devastating impact that smoking has on people and families.
Duncan Burton
“It substantially increases the risk of major health conditions like cancer, dementia, strokes, diabetes and heart disease, and costs billions.”
He added: “This public health intervention is essential to stop the leading cause of preventable illness.
“As nurses and midwives, and the most trusted profession, we have a unique opportunity to use our voices in support of this bill and help the next generation grow up smoke and vape-free.”
Professor Jamie Waterall, deputy chief public health nurse for England, based at the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, also urged nurses to get behind the bill.
Speaking at a conference today organised by the School and Public Health Nurses Association, Professor Waterall described the launching of the bill in parliament as a “landmark moment”.
Addressing public health nurses in the room, he added: “And please, if one of the things you take away from today, let’s provide our advocacy and support for that bill. It is a groundbreaking bill.
“The fact my children will never be able to legally buy tobacco, I warmly welcome, alongside the other interventions around vaping.
Jamie Waterall
“We’ve got the other legislation that’s going through about banning disposable vapes alongside greater restrictions around marketing and flavours. And so please, let’s professionally get behind that.”
The government is also planning to create more smoke-free public areas and to widen these to include no vaping.
In addition, it said it would make sure all hospitals offered opt-out smoking cessation interventions as part of routine care.
Health and social care secretary Wes Streeting said: “Unless we act to help people stay healthy, the rising tide of ill health in our society threatens to overwhelm and bankrupt our NHS. Prevention is better than cure.
“This government is taking bold action to create the first smoke-free generation, clamp down on kids getting hooked on nicotine through vapes, and protect children and vulnerable people from the harms of second-hand smoke.”
The Tobacco and Vapes Bill will now move onto its second reading in the House of Commons when MPs will get a chance to debate its principles before voting on whether it can progress to its next stage.
More about the smoking and vaping crackdown
