Introduced in March this year, the Bill wants to create the UK’s first ‘smokefree’ generation, making it illegal for those born since 2009 (children turning 15 this year) to be sold cigarettes.

The controversial bill also aims to restrict vape flavours, packaging and change how vapes are displayed in shops.

Northern Ireland Health Minister Robin Swann has previously confirmed that NI will be included in the Bill, subject to approval by the Assembly. He said he fully supported the UK Government’s plans to create a smokefree generation and to tackle youth vaping.

The debate comes as a Tobacco Manufacturers’ Association (TMA) survey has revealed that 80% of those surveyed had bought illegal tobacco in the previous year.

The survey, carried out between October and December 2023, questioned 12,000 smokers on their attitudes, awareness and understanding of illegal tobacco. The results also showed that nearly three quarters of respondents have seen an illegal 20-pack of cigarettes priced between £3 and £6 (compared to the mean average RRP of £15.26 for a legal packet).

TOBACCO SPENDING HABITS

Despite government attempts to curb the problem, the illegal tobacco market is growing. While the number of adult smokers in the UK has decreased by 30% (to 12% of the UK population) since the TMA commissioned its first ‘Anti-Illicit Trade Survey’ in 2014, the number of respondents who claim to purchase non-UK duty paid tobacco has reached a new high point of 80%, with one in five smokers only buying ‘branded’ tobacco, even though all legal tobacco has been sold in plain packaging in the UK since 2016 – eight years ago.

Almost two thirds of survey respondents claimed repeated hikes in tobacco taxes couple with the cost-of-living pressures meant they have changed their tobacco spending habits, up from 39% in 2022.

Strikingly, the survey also found that every UK region had seen an increase in the purchase of illegal tobacco since 2019, with the exception of the South East of England, where there has been no change.

Under the proposed Tobacco & Vapes Bill, Trading Standards officers’ powers would be strengthened with on-the-spot fines of £100 to uphold new laws and clamp down on underage sales of tobacco and vaping products.

Some Conservative MPs have said they will not support the Bill, however it is anticipated it will likely pass as Labour does support it.

‘FAR-REACHING REPERCUSSIONS’

Many retailers have raised concerns about the Bill, citing the increase in sales of illicit tobacco and vapes.

The Federation of Independent Retailers (the Fed) said a ban on disposable vapes would only fuel illicit sales, with National President Muntazir Dipoti stating that banning disposable vapes would “not help people give up smoking and vaping” and would “fuel the illicit market”.

Rupert Lewis, Director of the TMA said that the illegal tobacco market in the UK has now reached an inflection point.

“In previous years, the TMA Anti-Illicit Trade Survey has painted a picture of a stubbornly resilient illegal tobacco trade, which in spite of overall smoking rates downtrending year-on-year, has remained resistant to decline,” said Mr Lewis.

“I believe that there will be profound and far-reaching repercussions for consumers, retailers, law enforcement agencies and communities across the UK if a phased generational ban becomes law. In time, it will push the entire UK tobacco market underground, and I urge the government to reflect hard on the consequences of this policy decision and the lasting impact that it will have on the UK.”

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Under the bill, children turning 15 this year or younger will never legally be able to be sold tobacco.

New powers to restrict vape flavours, packaging and change how vapes are displayed in shops also form part of the bill.

Northern Ireland Health Minister Robin Swann has confirmed that NI will be included in Westminster’s Tobacco & Vapes Bill, subject to approval by the Assembly. He said he fully supported the UK Government’s plans to create a smokefree generation and to tackle youth vaping.

“If there are measures available that will reduce preventable deaths, help people live longer, healthier lives then, as Health Minister, I must advocate for them,” said Mr Swann.

On 20^th March the Bill started in the House of Commons, currently in its second reading, before progressing to Committee Stage.

Under the bill, enforcement officers’ powers would be strengthened with ‘on the spot fines’ of £100 to uphold new laws and clamp down on underage sales of tobacco and vaping products.

The UK Government’s plans also include a ban on disposable vapes, with the proposed ban anticipated to be progressed under environmental legislation in GB, while the Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs is considering the next steps for Northern Ireland.

However, the Federation of Independent Retailers (the Fed) said a ban on disposable vapes would only fuel illicit sales, with National President Muntazir Dipoti stating that banning disposable vapes would “not help people give up smoking and vaping” and would “fuel the illicit market”.

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Anne was named in the Powerlist of women in trade associations which was published on International Women’s Day 8^th March.

The Powerlist is a collaboration between the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) the Confederation of British Industries (CBI) and the Trade Association Forum (TAF) and was compiled from over 200 nominations from the sector.

Unveiling the list, the CBI chief executive Rain Newton-Smith said: “I am delighted to bring the CBI, FSB and TAF together to champion the role of women in trade associations, celebrate their achievements and encourage the next generation of women to the association sector.”

The Fed’s National President Muntazir Dipoti said: “It’s great to see Anne’s long-term commitment to Fed recognised once again. She is certainly a role model for the next generation.”

Commenting, Mrs Bingham said she was “thrilled and honoured to be in the company of so many powerful women for a second year”.

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In a letter to retailers, the company said it had reviewed service fee prices in line with the Retail Price Index (RPI), with a 4.9% rise confirmed in mid-February.

Taking effect from April, the fee increase depends on the store’s EPoS system, with changes in retailers’ service fees outlined in a letter sent to retailers.

In the letter, PayPoint Customer Experience Director, Ben Ford said that they recognise the importance and impact of doing business face to face, which is why they made “positive changes” two years ago in how they deploy their field team.

“Working in partnership on these new opportunities will ensure that you reap the rewards and improve earnings into your business, so it’s incredibly important that you work with us to maximise commission opportunities, drive satisfied customers and repeat footfall,” he said.

Commenting on the move, the Fed’s National President Muntazir Dipoti said that while it’s always difficult to accept any price increases, it was important for members and retailers to ensure they are “maximising the opportunity that PayPoint can bring” to their businesses.

“To mitigate the impact of the increase, PayPoint is committing to continuing to rebuild its relationship with retailers, engaging with its retail customers more regularly and strengthening its proposition through ‘better products, service and opportunities to generate commission and value for you and your business’,” said Mr Dipoti.

“The Health Check we launched with PayPoint last year to help members to rind the right opportunities to earn more in their stores saw thousands of retailers increase their revenues.”

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Mr Swann said that he fully supported the UK Government’s plans to create a smoke-free generation and to tackle youth vaping.

He added that parents and teachers had shared their concerns with him on the growing trend among young people vaping, and that many people in Northern Ireland were also fully behind the government’s plans.

“While vaping can play a role in supporting smoking cessation, the public health advice remains clear – if you don’t smoke or vape, keep it that way – this is particularly important for children and young people,” said Mr Swann.

“If there are measures available that will reduce preventable deaths, help people live longer, healthier lives then, as Health Minister, I must advocate for them.

“Following the restoration of the NI Executive and with their support, I requested that Northern Ireland be included in the UK Government bill and this has now been agreed. Ultimately, it will be for the NI Assembly to take a final decision on our inclusion.

“Having previously introduced legislation in 2021 to help protect children from the harms of tobacco smoke and vaping, I am confident that these latest measures, if passed, will enable us to go a step further and create a future where our young people are free from these dangers.”

‘The government needs to make more financial resources available for educational campaigns’

National President of the Fed, Muntazir Dipoti

UK Minister for Public Health, Andrea Leadsom welcomed the news that Northern Ireland will “bring forward the smoke-free generation”.

“It’s excellent our Northern Ireland colleagues will join us in tackling the worrying rise in youth vaping – putting children’s health first.”

The UK Government plans also includes a ban on disposable vapes, with the proposed ban anticipated to be progressed under environmental legislation in Great Britain. The Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs is considering the next steps for Northern Ireland.

However, the Federation of Independent Retailers (the Fed) said a ban on disposable vapes would only fuel illicit sales.

“Banning disposable vapes in the UK will not help people give up smoking and vaping but will fuel the illicit market,” said National President, Muntazir Dipoti.

To clamp down on young people vaping, the government needed to make more financial resources available for educational campaigns, while more enforcement activity was required, especially at borders to prevent counterfeit products entering the market, Mr Dipoti added.

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