The British Parliament Passed The Tobacco And Electronic Cigarettes Bill, Which Will Restrict E-cigarette Advertising And Packaging

The British Parliament passed the Tobacco and Electronic Cigarettes Bill, which will restrict e-cigarette advertising and packaging

The British Parliament passed the Tobacco and Electronic Cigarettes Bill by a vote of 415 to 47. The next step will be to enter the committee stage, followed by a third reading in the House of Commons, and then transferred to the House of Lords, and finally receive royal assent.

 

According to Reuters on November 27, the British Parliament voted 415 to 47 on Tuesday (26th) to pass the Tobacco and Electronic Cigarettes Bill, paving the way for entering the next stage of Parliament.

 

The bill includes a ban on e-cigarette advertising and the sale of e-cigarettes in vending machines, restrictions on e-cigarette packaging and flavors that are attractive to teenagers, such as bubble gum and marshmallow.

 

Labour Health Secretary Wes Streeting said,

"The number of children using e-cigarettes is growing at an alarming rate. If urgent intervention is not taken, we will usher in a generation of long-term addicted teenagers."

 

Previously, the Conservative government announced similar measures to create the first smoke-free generation, but these plans failed to become law before the summer general election. Conservative shadow health secretary Caroline Johnson told parliament before the vote: "Whatever we think of this bill, it is bold legislation with good intentions. We are not sure whether it will work, but we all want it to work."

 

The bill has also received some criticism, with Conservative MP Robert Jenrick saying on the X platform that he voted against it, saying "More education, less bans. No nanny state."

Robert Jenrick posted on the X platform to oppose the Tobacco and Electronic Cigarettes Bill. Source: X

 

The bill will enter the committee stage, followed by a third reading in the House of Commons, before being transferred to the House of Lords and finally receiving "Royal Assent" - a procedure that does not require further debate.

 

According to the consultation, the new bill will give the government the power to expand the scope of indoor smoking bans to specific outdoor spaces, such as children's playgrounds and outside schools and hospitals. In 2007, the UK banned smoking in almost all enclosed public places, including bars and workplaces.

 

The government previously abandoned plans to ban smoking outside bars and cafes due to concerns about the impact on the hospitality industry.

The bill will also introduce a licensing system for retailers to sell tobacco, e-cigarettes and nicotine products, and impose a fine of £200 on retailers who sell these products to minors.

 

Extending standardized packaging for all tobacco products is also under discussion.