Tobacco and Vapes Bill

Baroness Morgan of Drefelin Excerpts

Wednesday 26th November 2025 Grand Committee

[Baroness Hoey (Non-Afl)]

I think it will be helpful to bring the Committee very briefly up to date on what I raised. This amendment is crucial to this Bill because it is basically about whether we can implement it because of the Windsor Framework. I thought it would be helpful for noble Lords to know that four European Union countries have now put in detailed opinions to the European Commission that His Majesty’s Government now have a few months to respond to. The spokesman for the European Union said:

“It is now for the UK in respect of Northern Ireland to report on the action it proposes to take in view of the detailed opinions. The Commission will comment on that reaction”. 


I am trying to impress again that what has gone right through this Bill is the question of whether, in the end, a generational ban can be implemented in Northern Ireland. The Minister has been told again that she has to meet me. She has been told by the Attorney-General. The Attorney-General has finally written a letter to me, not via his secretary, saying that, again, he will not be commenting, even though he is the Advocate General for Northern Ireland and the Attorney-General, and that he wants a meeting where the noble Baroness, Lady Merron, will respond to all the legal points. I thought that might be helpful. I beg to move.

[The Deputy Chairman of Committees (Baroness Morgan of Drefelin) (Lab)]

The amendment has been moved. Does anyone else want to speak to it? If no one does, then we have had the debate. Does the noble Baroness wish to withdraw the amendment?

[Baroness Hoey (Non-Afl)]

Yes.