2 weeks Ago
A lot of the legislation that started after the election is now concluding in the House of Commons. Notably, the Tobacco and Vapes Bill completed its passage through the House of Commons. This is a landmark law that will ban single use vapes across the UK and begin to raise the minimum age for tobacco sales in order to create a smoke free generation.
Single use vapes have become a nuisance in recent years, not just posing a potential risk to young people but also littering our pavements and parks. When I took part in the Big Clyde Beach Clean a few weeks ago, I lost track of the number of single use vapes I picked up. In recent years, councils and campaigners across the UK (including in Inverclyde) have called for action.
It’s right that the Government is taking action to ban them. The health risks of smoking have been known for many years – with people facing higher risks of cancer, strokes and heart disease. Diseases we know all too well in our area.
Smoking also costs the economy £21.8 billion a year and costs the NHS across the UK £3.1 billion.
No one who smokes today will be affected by this new law, but by gradually increasing the minimum age for tobacco sales each year, we will gradually create a smoke free generation. This small but significant change will help to prevent 20,000 cancer deaths by 2040 and help to reduce the prevalence of other smoking related illnesses. A small change, but a big impact for future generations.
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