When the British public votes for the Conservative Party, they expect them to rule as conservatives. What they don’t expect is for the Tories to infantalise the public and take on the role of a glorified nanny
Henry Hill talks to Sky News’ Anna Botting about the Prime Minister’s new smoking ban.
Today marks the first time my colleagues can vote on this historic legislation. How we choose to act now will reflect on us for generations to come.
A look at the evidence and the opportunity cost of adults who vape instead of smoke, shows that vaping not only has the potential to save smokers’ lives, but could also save the NHS more than £500 million a year.
The Government’s disposable vape ban is a mistake and with the explosion in demand for pouches, it is imperative we get the laws around them right to prevent a future moral panic.
With the publication on Wednesday of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, it is timely that we have launched the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Responsible Vaping.
Let’s move fast to outlaw irresponsible sales tactics, and increase punishments for those that do not abide by the law. But banning all vape flavours, or disposable vapes, would be immensely counterproductive.
While we want flavours clearly aimed at underaged such as sweets, desserts, and soft drinks prohibited, we do not want an outright ban on flavours such as fruit, which experts believe contribute to reductions in smoking rates.
Sales of cigarettes and vapes to under 18s are already banned. Young people are likely to continue procuring them on the booming black market, unless there is rigorous enforcement of any new legislation.
It is remarkable that a country prepared to ban almost anything appears unwilling to take action against the small number of breeds responsible for the overwhelming majority of dangerous attacks.
Too many other countries, and the World Health Organisation, remain stubbornly wedded to one-size-fits-all approaches that ignore the latest evidence.
The industry itself has called for all vape retailers to be licensed. This sounds like a sensible step to stop illegal products being sold in shops.
A Better Tomorrow™, one where smokers who would otherwise continue to smoke switch to less risky alternatives, such as vaping, is once again within reach. We must grasp this opportunity with both hands, or risk it slipping between our fingers.
The Government’s support has seen the UK make incredible strides in slashing smoking rates. But without regulatory change, this progress will be at risk.
From a free market perspective, almost everything about the Tobacco and Vapes Bill is objectionable.