According to the Government’s own impact assessment, more than one in ten ex-smokers who switched to vaping could relapse into plans to restrict flavours.
The Department of Health highlighted research that estimated 13 percent of former smokers who vape could return to smoking if flavors were not available.
Rishi Sunak’s hotly contested proposal last night cleared its first hurdle. MPs voted 383 to 67 in favor of the “crazy” ban.
Under the bill, anyone born after 2009 will not be able to purchase tobacco. This means that children aged 15 and under today will never be legally sold a cigarette in England.
Vaporizers are also expected to be limited to four flavors, sold in plain tobacco-style packaging and displayed out of sight of children as part of the same crackdown.
The 2023 health report from the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development showed that 12.7 per cent of Britons aged 15 and over smoke cigarettes daily, much higher than the United States and New Zealand, the latter country recently introduced a similar gradual smoking ban.
Under the bill, anyone born after 2009 will not be able to purchase tobacco. This means that children aged 15 and under today will never be legally sold a cigarette in England. Vaporizers are also expected to be limited to four flavors, sold in plain tobacco-style packaging and displayed out of sight of children as part of the same crackdown.
Currently, vapes are sold in colorful packaging and in flavors such as cotton candy, which activists say appeals to children.
However, critics and MPs who oppose the “nanny state” measures fear the Prime Minister’s flagship policy for a “smoke-free generation” will be counterproductive.
In its impact assessment, the Government said the 13 per cent figure was likely be an “upper limit”.
But, referring to research from the University of Bristol, he highlighted estimates that “four percent of smokers quit smoking because of vaporizers, and 33 percent of smokers said they would not quit and/or would smoke more if the flavors weren’t available.”
The impact assessment added: “For ex-smokers, it was estimated that 13 per cent of ex-smokers vape and 13 per cent of these ex-smokers would relapse if flavors were not available.”
The evaluation said the University of Bristol’s decision support tool is “based on a scenario where there are only three flavors left on the market”.
These were: unflavored, tobacco and menthol.
The impact assessment continues: ‘The impact on smokers who quit and ex-smokers who relapse would be less if fewer flavors were restricted.
“Second, there are other smoking cessation aids that smokers could try, such as other nicotine replacement therapies.”
Mr Sunak’s bold proposals have long been criticized as “illiberal” by critics.
Some fear health bosses could crack down on sugar, caffeine and alcohol, calling the move a “slippery slope”.
Vocal detractors include former UKIP leader Nigel Farage and the former Prime Minister. Boris Johnson, who has branded the ban “crazy” and “absolutely bonkers”.
Fifty-nine Conservative MPs – including six government ministers – opposed the plans last night.
They included Kemi Badenoch, Steve Baker and former Cabinet ministers Suella Braverman, Sir Simon Clarke and Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg.
More than 100 Conservatives also did not vote, leaving only 165 of the 347 who supported the bill.
Responding to the backlash over the ban, England’s chief medical officer yesterday rejected “pro-choice” arguments.
Professor Sir Chris Whitty argued instead that cigarettes were a product “designed to stop you choosing”.
Meanwhile, Home Office minister Laura Farris said she was “not particularly interested in the freedom arguments”.
The Newbury MP, who started smoking aged 12, told LBC: “It took me years and years and years to quit.” In fact, he is one of my biggest regrets.
‘I have two young children now and the fact that they will never be able to walk into a shop and buy a pack of cigarettes is something I appreciate.
‘It hooks you. It’s a horrible habit. And even when you do, you know you’re causing yourself irreparable harm. And it’s incredibly difficult to get out.’
The Government believes the gradual ban, which will raise the legal age to buy tobacco by one year each year from 2027, will result in 1.7 million fewer people smoking by 2075.
It predicts the move will save tens of thousands of lives and prevent up to 115,000 cases of stroke, heart disease, lung cancer and other lung diseases.
Home Office minister Laura Farris (pictured) also said she was “not particularly interested in the freedom arguments”. The Newbury MP, who started smoking aged 12, told LBC: “It took me years and years and years to quit.” It’s one of my biggest regrets, actually.
The smoking ban was initially recommended in a government-commissioned report last year by former children’s charity director Javed Khan.
It warned that without urgent action, England would miss the 2030 smoke-free target by at least seven years, with poorer areas not reaching it until 2044.
The plans are believed to have been inspired by a wide-ranging crackdown planned by the previous New Zealand government.
But in November, the country’s new prime minister, Christopher Luxon, announced that he was abandoning the “world-first” plan and that the U-turn funded tax cuts.
Smoking rates in the UK are now the lowest on record, at 12.9 per cent, or around 6.4 million people.
But smoking kills around 78,000 people in the UK every year, and many more suffer from illnesses due to their habit, half of which are due to cardiovascular diseases such as heart attacks and strokes.
It is estimated that around 500,000 hospital admissions each year in England are attributable to smoking and that smoking costs the economy £17 billion a year.