Yorkshire Cancer Research response to Smoke-free, heated tobacco-free and vape-free places in England consultation content
The Tobacco and Vapes Act recently became law. This landmark legislation stops those born on or after 1 January 2009 from ever legally being sold tobacco. It also gives the Government a range of new powers on tobacco products and vapes, including powers to extend smokefree legislation to outdoor public places, to prohibit vaping in smokefree places and to create heated tobacco-free places. This consultation called for views on the Government’s proposals on these particular powers so that implementation can begin as soon as possible.
Yorkshire Cancer Research welcomes the Government’s proposals to extend smoke‑free legislation to outdoor settings such as children’s playgrounds, education settings and hospitals, and sets out recommendations to strengthen these protections. While supporting the creation of vape‑free places where this helps reduce the appeal of vaping to young people, the charity emphasises the importance of ensuring that regulations do not undermine the role of vaping as an effective smoking cessation tool.