Shropshire Council’s statement on the Tobacco and Vapes Bill
Shropshire Council welcomes the introduction of the new Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which represents a step forward in protecting the health and wellbeing of our community, particularly our children and the most vulnerable. This legislation aligns with our ongoing efforts to create a healthier environment for all residents and supports our commitment to reducing the harmful impacts of smoking and vaping.
The new bill, introduced by the government, includes several key measures aimed at reducing smoking rates and regulating the use of vapes. One aspect of the bill is the creation of the first-ever smoke free generation, which will phase out the sale of tobacco products to anyone born on or after January 1, 2009
The new bill aims to help break the cycle of addiction and significantly reduce the number of young people taking up smoking.
In addition to the smoke free generation initiative, the bill also includes provisions to extend the indoor smoking ban to certain outdoor settings, such as children’s playgrounds, outside schools, and hospitals
This measure will help protect children and vulnerable individuals from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke. By creating smoke-free zones in these areas, we can ensure a safer and healthier environment for everyone.
The bill also addresses the growing concern around vaping, particularly among young people. It includes a ban on vape advertising and sponsorship, as well as new powers to restrict the flavours, display, and packaging of all types of vapes
These measures will help reduce the appeal of vaping to children and young people, while still allowing adult smokers to use vapes as a tool to quit smoking.
Shropshire Council is committed to supporting these new regulations and will work closely with local partners to ensure their successful implementation. Our Healthy Lives Stop Smoking service, which has recently been enhanced through a five-year funding award from the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID), will play a key role in helping residents quit smoking and access the support they need
Additionally, our local Tobacco Dependency Treatment programme, part of the NHS Long Term Plan, offers dedicated stop smoking support for acute hospital and mental health inpatients, as well as a maternity stop smoking offer for pregnant smokers
We believe that these new measures will have a profound impact on the health of our community, reducing the prevalence of smoking-related illnesses and improving overall public health. Shropshire Council supports the Tobacco and Vapes Bill and looks forward to working with our partners to create a healthier, smoke free future for all residents.
The Shropshire position statement relating to underage vaping is available online here: shropshire-position-statement-on-underage-vaping.pdf
If you are concerned about youth vaping in particular, you can access resources here Youth vaping | Shropshire Council
More information and resources on stopping smoking can be found here Stopping smoking | Shropshire Council
