Tobacco and Vapes Bill

Baroness Redfern Excerpts

2nd reading
Wednesday 23rd April 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Redfern (Con)]

My Lords, I am grateful to have the opportunity to take part in the Second Reading of this Bill. It is urgently required to reduce the increasing levels of youth vaping and to target the illicit vape market, which we are all aware has future consequences, particularly for very young users. This continues to have implications for vaping on school premises up and down the country; no area seems immune.

Vaping is the UK’s most successful smoking cessation tool, but I emphasise that we have not gone far enough to protect those under 18. Whatever restrictions are placed on packaging and advertising, they will not completely prevent those under 18 from accessing disposable vapes. We all know that once a vape leaves the shop, or any location, it can easily be passed to children. It is young children whom I am particularly concerned about, so I welcome the Bill’s ban on disposable vapes, and I look forward to bringing it forward.

Tackling underage vaping must involve age verification at the point of use, which is not only practical but is supported by the majority of people. We should ban disposable vapes and restrict certain flavours and bright, colourful packaging descriptions, which are novelty factors. Importantly, they are an attractive tool for marketing these products, which are clearly aimed at children. Unfortunately, this is set against the backdrop of many parents having little or no idea about vapes’ dangerous chemical composition and the resulting possible future health implications.

Teachers, too, believe that vaping is a growing problem on school grounds, causing many safety and behaviour issues and, in some instances, damage to school property. I want schools and colleges to engage with public, private and third-sector organisations regarding the health implications of vaping and future participation in tobacco smoking, in parallel with up-to-date public health advertising. There is, of course, a need for additional funding for enforcement and a serious licensing scheme. We also need to address the retailers, as many shops openly display various flavoured vapes. Important, too, are the distributors and importers, which is an issue that needs to be revisited.

In restoring vaping to its original intention, we must not lose sight of the fact that it is less harmful than the tobacco alternative, with positive outcomes for people transferring from tobacco smoking to vaping. Vapes are a valuable aid for many adults in stopping smoking, but the elephant in the room is the young people who are now vaping when they have never smoked before. There is also the issue of exposure to second-hand smoke, which causes thousands of people to be diagnosed with cancer and other health issues. It must not be forgotten that smoking is a huge cost to society and individuals and is still the leading cause of premature death and disability in the UK.

Finally, I welcome the creation of the first smoke-free generation.