Portsmouth North MP Amanda Martin has welcomed the Government’s latest plans to crack down on vaping products marketed at children, describing the proposals as “another important step” in protecting young people from nicotine addiction.
The Government has today launched a UK-wide consultation on tougher rules covering vape packaging, flavours, product design and in-store displays, as part of Labour’s landmark Tobacco and Vapes Act.
The proposals would require vaping products to use plain packaging, standardise the appearance of devices, restrict flavour names to simple descriptions such as “Apple” rather than child-friendly names inspired by sweets and desserts, and keep vaping products out of sight in shops in the same way as tobacco products.
The measures build on the Government’s wider commitment to create the first smoke-free generation, following the ban on single-use vapes and ahead of further restrictions on vape advertising, sponsorship and sales from vending machines.
Amanda has consistently campaigned to tackle rogue convenience stores across Portsmouth that sell illicit tobacco, illegal vapes and other counterfeit goods, calling for tougher enforcement against businesses that repeatedly break the law and put children’s health at risk.
Amanda Martin MP for Portsmouth North said: “For far too long we’ve seen brightly coloured packaging, sweet-shop flavours and eye-catching displays designed to make vaping attractive to children. Vapes can play an important role in helping adult smokers quit, but they should never be marketed at young people.
“I’ve been campaigning locally to crack down on rogue shops selling illegal vapes and counterfeit tobacco because too many businesses are putting profits before people’s health. Law-abiding retailers shouldn’t have to compete with those who ignore the rules.
“These proposals are another important step towards creating the healthiest generation ever. By making vapes less appealing to children while ensuring they remain available as a stop-smoking aid for adults, Labour is putting prevention at the heart of public health and helping protect young people from a lifetime of nicotine addiction.”
The consultation will run for 12 weeks and forms part of the Government’s wider 10 Year Health Plan, which places prevention at the centre of improving the nation’s health and reducing pressure on the NHS.
Under the proposed reforms, all vaping products would move towards standardised packaging and displays, while restrictions would also be extended to heated tobacco products and other nicotine products, ensuring a consistent approach to protecting children from products designed to appeal to them.
