A step closer to a smokefree future: What the Tobacco and Vapes Bill means locally
The UK is moving forward with plans to protect future generations from the harms of smoking and youth vaping. On 23 April 2025, the Tobacco and Vapes Bill passed its second reading in the House of Lords, following strong cross-party support in the House of Commons. The Bill is now progressing through the Committee Stage in the Lords, where detailed scrutiny and potential amendments are being considered.
What’s changing—and why it matters
Smoking remains the leading cause of preventable illness and death in England, responsible for 64,000 deaths each year. The new Bill aims to break this cycle by:
- Raising the age of sale: Anyone born on or after 1 January 2009 will never be legally sold tobacco, creating a “smokefree generation.”
- Tackling youth vaping: The Bill introduces stricter controls on vape marketing, flavours, and packaging to reduce their appeal to children.
- Expanding smokefree areas: Smoking will be banned in more public spaces, such as outside schools, hospitals, and playgrounds, to protect people from second-hand smoke.
- Introducing retail licensing: A new licensing scheme for retailers selling tobacco and vaping products will be established, aiming to improve compliance and enforcement.
Why this matters for Humber and North Yorkshire
In our region, smoking causes thousands of deaths each year and places a significant burden on the NHS and social care services. The Bill offers a chance to reduce this impact by preventing young people from starting smoking and supporting current smokers to quit.
Peter Roderick, Director of Public Health at City of York Council, said:
“Smoking remains the leading cause of preventable illness and death in England, responsible for 64,000 fatalities each year and killing two out of three smokers. The only thing to do is phase smoking out—we have to do everything we can to protect future generations from getting stuck in the cycle of harm.”
Supporting people to quit
The Bill complements local efforts like the “Yes to Quit” campaign, which provides free support to help people stop smoking. Services include one-on-one coaching, quitting aids, and tailored advice. You can find support through your local health service or by visiting yestoquit.co.uk.
As of 6 May 2025, the Tobacco and Vapes Bill has completed its Second Reading in the House of Lords. The Committee Stage, where detailed examination and potential amendments occur, is the next step. However, a specific date for this stage has not yet been scheduled.
What happens next?
The Bill is currently in the Committee Stage in the House of Lords, where it will undergo detailed examination and potential amendments. Following this, it will proceed to the Report Stage and Third Reading in the Lords. If passed, the Bill will receive Royal Assent and become law, marking a significant step towards a healthier, smokefree future for our communities.
Timeline and implementation
While the exact timeline for the remaining stages is uncertain, the government aims for the Bill to receive Royal Assent later in 2025. The key provision—prohibiting the sale of tobacco to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009—is scheduled to come into effect on 1 January 2027.
Stay informed
For the latest updates on the Bill's progress, you can visit the UK Parliament's official Bill tracking page:
“The Third Reading of the historic Tobacco and Vapes Bill is a once-in-a-generation chance to protect people from this uniquely lethal product and make it easier for smokers to quit for good. Most people who smoke want to stop, and with the right support – whether stop smoking services, quitting aids, or switching completely to vaping – it’s much easier. Thousands successfully quit every year and live healthier, longer lives.”
