Latest news with #JenniMinto
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
MSPs back tobacco ban plan for 'smoke free generation'
MSPs have given their consent to UK legislation which aims to create a "smoke-free generation". The Scottish Parliament passed a legislative consent motion, which means MSPs agree to Westminster passing a law which affects a devolved area. The Tobacco and Vapes Bill is UK-wide legislation that would ban tobacco products for anyone born after January 1, 2009. It would also bring in restrictions on the advertising and sale of vapes, as well as reviewing the packaging of e-cigarettes. How many people still smoke in the UK? A quick guide to smoking bans across the world Public health minister Jenni Minto welcomed the "landmark legislation", with MSPs approving her motion unanimously. She said: "We have worked closely across the four nations to ensure a consistent approach and I am determined to ensure a tobacco-free Scotland, where people live longer and healthier lives, by 2034. "The Bill, once passed, will also ban vapes and nicotine products from being deliberately promoted and advertised to children, stopping the next generation from becoming hooked on nicotine." The legislation has passed votes in the House of Commons and is currently going through the House of Lords. It includes a ban on vape advertising and sponsorship, as well as powers to restrict the flavours and packaging of vapes in an attempt to reduce their appeal to children. It is part of a series of measures aimed at tackling the health effects of smoking, one of the UK's leading causes of preventable death, disability and ill health. Smoking rates have fallen in recent years but vaping rates have risen sharply, especially among under-35s and those who have never used cigarettes.
BBC News
3 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
MSPs back tobacco ban plan for 'smoke free generation'
MSPs have given their consent to UK legislation which aims to create a "smoke-free generation".The Scottish Parliament passed a legislative consent motion, which means MSPs agree to Westminster passing a law which affects a devolved Tobacco and Vapes Bill is UK-wide legislation that would ban tobacco products for anyone born after January 1, would also bring in restrictions on the advertising and sale of vapes, as well as reviewing the packaging of e-cigarettes. Public health minister Jenni Minto welcomed the "landmark legislation", with MSPs approving her motion said: "We have worked closely across the four nations to ensure a consistent approach and I am determined to ensure a tobacco-free Scotland, where people live longer and healthier lives, by 2034."The Bill, once passed, will also ban vapes and nicotine products from being deliberately promoted and advertised to children, stopping the next generation from becoming hooked on nicotine." The legislation has passed votes in the House of Commons and is currently going through the House of includes a ban on vape advertising and sponsorship, as well as powers to restrict the flavours and packaging of vapes in an attempt to reduce their appeal to is part of a series of measures aimed at tackling the health effects of smoking, one of the UK's leading causes of preventable death, disability and ill rates have fallen in recent years but vaping rates have risen sharply, especially among under-35s and those who have never used cigarettes.
STV News
4 days ago
- Health
- STV News
MSPs give consent to UK-wide legislation to create ‘smoke-free generation'
MSPs have agreed their consent to UK legislation which aims to create a 'smoke-free generation', with a minister hailing it as a 'landmark' law. The Scottish Parliament passed a legislative consent motion on Thursday, meaning MSPs agree to Westminster passing a law which affects a devolved area. The Tobacco and Vapes Bill is UK-wide legislation which would create a 'smoke-free generation' by banning tobacco products for anyone born after January 1, 2009. It would also bring in restrictions on the advertising and sale of vapes, as well as reviewing the packaging of e-cigarettes. The legislation has passed votes in the House of Commons and is currently going through the House of Lords. Public health minister Jenni Minto welcomed Parliament's approval of the legislative consent motion, with MSPs approving her motion unanimously. She said: 'The Scottish Parliament's consent to this landmark legislation will ensure that children born after January 1, 2009 can never be sold tobacco. 'We have worked closely across the four nations to ensure a consistent approach and I am determined to ensure a tobacco-free Scotland, where people live longer and healthier lives, by 2034. 'The Bill, once passed, will also ban vapes and nicotine products from being deliberately promoted and advertised to children, stopping the next generation from becoming hooked on nicotine. 'The Scottish Parliament's support for this Bill will benefit public health in Scotland and will help save lives.' Jamie Strachan, operations director at vaping retailer VPZ, said nicotine pouches are less harmful than combustible smoking. He said: 'We agree that vaping products must never be marketed or sold to children. That is why VPZ operates with robust age verification protocols, strict compliance training, and a challenge 25 system that goes beyond legal requirements. 'We also support the introduction of a national licensing scheme to ensure all retailers are held to these same high standards. 'However, we believe it is crucial to maintain a balanced approach that continues to support adult smokers in making the switch away from combustible tobacco. 'Public Health England and other bodies have consistently affirmed that vaping is significantly less harmful than smoking and remains the most effective tool for smoking cessation. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
The Herald Scotland
4 days ago
- Health
- The Herald Scotland
Scottish Parliament gives consent to tobacco ban legislation
MSPs have agreed their consent to UK legislation which aims to create a 'smoke-free generation', with a minister hailing it as a 'landmark' law. The Scottish Parliament passed a legislative consent motion on Thursday, meaning MSPs agree to Westminster passing a law which affects a devolved area. The Tobacco and Vapes Bill is UK-wide legislation which would create a 'smoke-free generation' by banning tobacco products for anyone born after January 1, 2009. It would also bring in restrictions on the advertising and sale of vapes, as well as reviewing the packaging of e-cigarettes. Read More: The legislation has passed votes in the House of Commons and is currently going through the House of Lords. Public health minister Jenni Minto welcomed Parliament's approval of the legislative consent motion, with MSPs approving her motion unanimously. She said: 'The Scottish Parliament's consent to this landmark legislation will ensure that children born after January 1, 2009 can never be sold tobacco. 'We have worked closely across the four nations to ensure a consistent approach and I am determined to ensure a tobacco-free Scotland, where people live longer and healthier lives, by 2034. 'The Bill, once passed, will also ban vapes and nicotine products from being deliberately promoted and advertised to children, stopping the next generation from becoming hooked on nicotine. 'The Scottish Parliament's support for this Bill will benefit public health in Scotland and will help save lives.' Jamie Strachan, operations director at vaping retailer VPZ, said nicotine pouches are less harmful than combustible smoking. He said: 'We agree that vaping products must never be marketed or sold to children. That is why VPZ operates with robust age verification protocols, strict compliance training, and a challenge 25 system that goes beyond legal requirements. 'We also support the introduction of a national licensing scheme to ensure all retailers are held to these same high standards. 'However, we believe it is crucial to maintain a balanced approach that continues to support adult smokers in making the switch away from combustible tobacco. 'Public Health England and other bodies have consistently affirmed that vaping is significantly less harmful than smoking and remains the most effective tool for smoking cessation."
Scotsman
4 days ago
- Health
- Scotsman
here's what it means: Cigarettes, vapes, outdoor smoking, adverts
MSPs are being asked to back UK Government plans to create a smoke-free generation. Sign up to our Politics newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... MSPs have unanimously agreed to back the UK Government's plans to create the 'first smoke-free generation'. UK ministers are hoping the Tobacco and Vapes Bill will 'break the cycle of addiction and disadvantage and put us on track towards a smoke-free UK'. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Scottish Public Health Minister Jenni Minto asked her colleagues in Holyrood to grant legislative consent for the UK Bill. The Scotsman takes a look at what this means for Scotland. Banning cigarettes Branded 'the biggest public health intervention in a generation', the Bill will ban the sale of all cigarettes and tobacco products to anyone born after January 1, 2009. This means all children turning 15 this year and younger can never legally be sold tobacco in the UK at any point in their life. The legislation will also ban the sale of all vaping and nicotine products to under-18s and ban the free distribution of these products. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Stopping children vaping As well as banning the sale of vapes, the Bill will also allow ministers to regulate the flavours, packing and display of vapes so they do not appeal to children. While vapes can still be used to help smokers quit, the UK government says children and adults who have never smoked before should never vape. File photo of a person vaping The Bill says: 'The government is concerned about the worrying rise in vaping among children, with youth vaping more than doubling in the last five years and one in four 11-15 year olds having vaped in 2023. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'It is clearly unacceptable and why this government is taking strong action to end the deliberate targeting of vapes to children.' Regulation of advertising and retail The legislation will also ban the advertising and sponsorship of vape and nicotine products. In Scotland, all retailers selling tobacco and vapes need to be officially registered, and this Bill looks to strengthen this existing policy. It will also introduce a new retail licensing scheme in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad NHS England figures show 270 of the 438 people who had set a date to quit smoking in Wigan self-reported they had done so between April and September 2024 | Jonathan Brady/Press Association. Outdoor smoking ban Should this Bill pass, the indoor smoking ban will be extended to outdoor spaces like children's playgrounds, schools and outside hospitals. Many of these areas are already covered by the smoking ban in Scotland. The legislation will also introduce extra powers to allow workplaces and public places that are already smoke free to become vape free as well. Helping people to quit Hospitals will need to integrate 'opt-out' smoking cessation interventions into their routine care, meaning every clinical consultation will cover some sort of smoking intervention. "If you're ready to make a change, take that first step today. Whether you've smoked for a year or fifty, quitting is always worth it", says Dr Dave Briggs. Positive messages and advice on how to quit smoking will also be inserted into packs of cigarettes to help encourage current smokers to quit. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Single-use vapes This legislation is separate to the Scottish ban on single-use vapes, which comes into force on Sunday, June 1. Why is the government doing this? Essentially the government thinks it can save the NHS some money and boost the economy by making the population healthier. The UK government says smoking is the number one preventable cause of death, disability and ill health in the UK, causing 80,000 deaths a year, including one in four cancer deaths.
