Tobacco and Vapes Bill (Second sitting)

Debate between Andrew Gwynne and Taiwo Owatemi

Committee stage
Tuesday 7th January 2025 Public Bill Committees

[Andrew Gwynne]

Q What do you see as the main differences between the current notification scheme and the scheme that the Bill creates powers to establish?

Dr Laura Squire: I think somebody talked earlier about the package; the Bill is more than the notification scheme, and I think the whole thing works together to make a much safer environment. I was particularly pleased to see that there is a requirement to carry out studies and a requirement to carry out testing. We are sometimes asked about testing. Testing at the point of registration is one thing, but you need to know that the product remains compliant.

Obviously, there must be consultation about exactly what will go into the regulations, but I would expect that there would be an awful lot more linked to the other requirements of the Bill, and that will make it tighter. I think that would be an improvement, because at the moment the Bill is very light-touch.

[Taiwo Owatemi]

Q What effect do you think the Bill will have on the number of vaping products that the MHRA will have to approve through its licensing route?

Dr Laura Squire: For a medicines licence?