The Government has introduced the Tobacco and Vapes Bill to Parliament, pledging to create a smoke-free generation, phasing out the sale of tobacco products to anyone aged 15 or younger this year.
It is also proposing to extend the indoor smoking ban to specific outdoor places such as children’s playgrounds, and outside schools and hospitals.
The Bill includes measures to ban vape advertising and sponsorship, and restrict the flavours, display and packaging of all types of vapes.
Cllr David Fothergill, Chairman of the LGA’s Community Wellbeing Board, said: “We fully support the Government’s smokefree generation ambitions.
“Local government has led the way tackling the harms caused by smoking, whether that is calling for a ban on smoking in public places or funding smoking cessation services.
“Raising the legal age of sale for tobacco products is a progressive policy that will help reduce smoking prevalence and the damaging effects on health, while we strongly endorse the measures on vapes, to help reduce their appeal to children.”
