Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential effectiveness of removing vape products from the definition of tobacco products in the EU Tobacco Products Directive; and if he will make a statement.

Vaping products are defined as nicotine inhaling products in the European Union Tobacco Products Directive 2014/40/EU (TPD). The TPD is implemented into United Kingdom domestic law and, after the UK leaves the EU this legislation will remain in force, subject to the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018. The scope of these amendments is limited to ensuring that tobacco control policy and legislation continue to function effectively after EU exit.

The Department has committed to reviewing the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations (2016), and a range of tobacco legislation by 2021. As announced in the Tobacco Control Plan (2017) the Government will review where the UK’s exit from the EU offers us opportunities to re-appraise current regulation to ensure this continues to protect the nation’s health.