This was a third reading on the Tobacco and Vapes Bill. The Tobacco and Vapes Bill aims to curb smoking and youth vaping by introducing a smokefree generation policy (raising the age at which people can buy tobacco products) alongside tighter rules on vaping products, packaging, marketing, and enforcement. It has progressed through the Commons to the report stage, with several amendments debated—most of which were defeated—while the government pushes ahead with the core measures and a future vaping duty.
•Governing aim: create a smokefree generation by restricting sales to those born after a specific date (generational age threshold), with some amendments proposing an earlier, separate age threshold (e.g., 21).
•Age threshold debates: amendments sought to raise the sale age to 21 and to modify how the generational ban works; most attempts to shift the policy were defeated, while some groups favoured a gradual, incremental approach to the age ban.
•Vaping and packaging controls: the bill tightens regulation of vaping products (including flavours, packaging and display rules), and adds requirements such as potential health warnings on packaging and standardised designs; several amendments sought to exempt or differently regulate heated tobacco products from the generational ban.
•Enforcement and compliance: proposals for stronger enforcement (including licensing of sellers, higher penalties, and a dedicated Illicit Tobacco Taskforce funded by government) to curb illicit trade and ensure compliance; some amendments would have created licensing or expanded penalties, but many were not retained.
The result
Motion passed
Margin: 325
366
41
Aye (90%)No (10%)
407 of 650 eligible MPs voted (63% turnout)
How each party voted
Who rebelled?
No MPs voted against their party on this division.
What happens next?
The bill has passed this House and will move to the other House for consideration.
