Tobacco and Vapes Bill

Debate between Baroness Fox of Buckley and Lord Darzi of Denham

Report stage
Tuesday 3rd March 2026 Lords Chamber

[Lord Darzi of Denham (Non-Afl)]

If I have not, then I apologise. I still believe it is not clear on paper. I feel it is the flavour that is being bound, but if the noble Lord’s amendment is correcting that, that is fine. Narrowing the powers before the science is settled is another issue. There is very little scientific evidence on the impact of the taste or whatever the inhaler contains. This has not been utilised before, so we do not know the dangers of the substance that is being inhaled. The prudent course is to retain the widest possible powers and to act on evidence as it emerges. To do otherwise will leave our children exposed to risks we could have prevented. I urge the House to at least look at these amendments or reject them.

[Baroness Fox of Buckley (Non-Afl)]

My Lords, I shall be brief, because the noble Lord, Lord Moylan, has explained what his amendment is trying to do. I just want to query whether narrowing the powers before the science is settled is an admirable aspiration. That gives authoritarian power to the Government to do anything they want because there is no science and it is not settled. How is that evidence-based policy? It is the opposite and I think that is very dangerous.

I want to more accurately emphasise that flavours are part of smoking cessation, but I am only going to do that briefly. The reason why I want to do that is to quote ASH, because—guess what?—ASH says that flavours are a very important way in which adults vape and therefore give up smoking. So, for once, I am quoting ASH in a positive way to say that flavours cannot be demonised and we have to be very careful what we wish for.