Tobacco and Vapes Bill

Earl Russell Excerpts

Monday 9th March 2026 Lords Chamber

Finally, I thank my noble friend Lord Howe for his advice and his contributions to the debate. I also thank all those organisations, whatever their views, which shared their briefings with my noble friend and other noble Lords at every stage of the Bill’s progress. Of course, it is never possible to satisfy all points of view. I hope, however, they feel that we thoroughly debated the issues they raised. I also hope that, whatever one thinks of this Bill, these measures will help smokers who wish to quit; that they will reduce the attractiveness of taking up smoking, particularly among our youth; and that they will improve the health of our nation.

[Earl Russell (LD)]

My Lords, I speak for my Benches, as my noble friend Lady Walmsley is unable to be here today as she is presently chairing a committee. As we reach the final stage of this landmark public health legislation, I begin by expressing my sincere thanks to the Minister and her officials for their constructive engagement throughout. This has been challenging and complex legislation, and the collaborative spirit shown across the House in scrutinising it has undoubtedly strengthened it.

I want to thank my noble friend Lady Walmsley for her outstanding leadership of our team, her diligent negotiation and her clear focus on public health. I also thank my noble friend Lady Northover and the rest of the Bill team. I thank Adam Bull in our Whips’ Office for his guidance and support throughout.

From the very start, we have been proud to support this Bill and the principle underpinning it: the creation of a smoke-free generation. The generational ban is bold, evidence-based and one of the most significant steps any of us will probably take as parliamentarians to improve the nation’s health and well-being in our lifetimes. It will help ensure that future generations never start on the path to addiction and the devastating consequences that surely follow.

We are pleased that, through our discussions, a number of improvements have been secured. Local authorities will now retain the full proceeds from the £2,500 fixed penalty notices issued for licensing offences, giving trading standards the resources they need for effective enforcement. The Government have also taken new powers to regulate or ban cigarette filters, recognising growing concerns about the false perception of safety they create and their environmental impact.

To support smoking cessation, a new defence will allow public authorities to partner with businesses to promote non-branded vapes and nicotine products for public health purposes. The narrow exemption introduced for vape vending machines in adult mental health hospitals is also welcome, ensuring an appropriate balance between safeguarding and supporting cessation in secure settings.

We also welcome the Government’s acceptance of the Delegated Powers and Regulatory Reform Committee’s recommendations to upgrade the parliamentary procedure for age-verification regulations to affirmative and the commitment to a formal statutory review within four to seven years of Royal Assent. The recently launched consultation on smoke-free, heated tobacco-free and vape-free places also sends an important signal about the Government’s intention to maintain momentum in this area. However, there is still more to do. We regret that the Government did not accept the cross-party proposals for a levy on big tobacco company profits to fund cessation and related healthcare, and we believe that further action is essential to keep vapes out of the hands of our children and bring forward a proper ban on disposable vapes.

This Bill lays the foundations for a generational shift in public health. It will reach its potential only if implemented with care, attention and continued cross-party resolve. This is landmark legislation, and we are proud to support it.