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Smoking to be banned in certain outdoor settings across UK as part of new ‘world-leading’ bill

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Emily Sergeant - 6th November 2024

The indoor smoking ban is set to be extended to certain outdoor settings across the UK, the Government has announced.

As part of a long-mentioned plan to create a ‘smokefree generation’ by phasing-out the sale of tobacco products to anyone aged 15 or younger nationwide from this year, and ultimately “break the cycle of addiction and disadvantage”, the Government has now introduced a new Tobacco and Vapes Bill to Parliament.

Health Ministers says the Bill will bring about tougher action to better protect the public, the NHS, and the economy from the harms of smoking.

As recent statistics have shown that smoking claims around 80,000 lives a year in the UK, which costs taxpayers £3.1 billion annually due to pressures on the NHS, the Tobacco and Vapes Bill forms part of the Government’s reform agenda to “shift the focus of healthcare from sickness to prevention”.

Ultimately, the Bill is aiming to address one of the biggest risk factors driving poor health – smoking.

Smoking is the number one preventable cause of death, disability and ill health in the UK.

That’s why we’re preventing young people from ever starting.

— UK Prime Minister (@10DowningStreet) November 5, 2024

As well as the phasing-out of tobacco to anyone aged 15 or younger, the Government says it’s also considering giving powers to extend the indoor smoking ban to specific outdoor spaces – with children’s playgrounds, the outside of schools, and hospitals, all being considered, subject to consultation.

Extending restrictions in places that are currently smoke free to also become vape free, especially in areas where there are children and young adults, is also being considered.

“These measures will help protect children from becoming hooked on nicotine while continuing to enable adult smokers to use vapes as a quit aid,” a Government spokesperson explained.

The new Tobacco and Vapes Bill is set to sit alongside the already-announced ban on vape advertising and sponsorship, as well as the powers to restrict the flavours, display, and packaging of all types of vapes.

It also follows the news that disposable vapes are due to be banned from 1 June next year, which was announced towards the end of last month.

Our Tobacco and Vapes Bill will protect the public, NHS and economy from the harms of smoking.

We plan to:

🚭 ban smoking outside schools, children’s playgrounds and hospitals

🧒 create a smoke-free generation

✖️ stop vapes being targeted at kids

⁠https://t.co/5bBJaIog7U pic.twitter.com/8EHigmxt6e

— Department of Health and Social Care (@DHSCgovuk) November 5, 2024

“Unless we act to help people stay healthy, the rising tide of ill-health in our society threatens to overwhelm and bankrupt our NHS,” explained Health Sectretary, Wes Streeting.

“Prevention is better than cure. This Government is taking bold action to create the first smokefree generation, clamp down on kids getting hooked on nicotine through vapes, and protect children and vulnerable people from the harms of second-hand smoke. 

Streeting says this “historic” legislation will “save thousands of lives” and “protect the NHS”.

Read more:

• New measures proposed by the Government to create a ‘smokefree generation’
• Disposable vapes to be banned in England by next year
• The NHS found to be in a ‘critical condition’ following an independent investigation

“By building a healthy society, we will also help to build a healthy economy, with fewer people off work sick,” he concluded.

Featured Image – Pxhere