Stand firm against tobacco lobby on vape protections for kids, ministers urged

Health experts and over 1,700 professionals have signed a letter, spearheaded by Action on Smoking and Health (Ash), urging UK ministers to stand firm against tobacco and vape industry lobbying and not water down proposed measures to protect children from vaping and nicotine products. The proposals, announced in July and closing for consultation on Friday, include banning colourful packaging, restricting child-appealing flavours, and hiding vapes from view in shops. New YouGov polling shows strong public support: 63% back standardising all tobacco products, 79% support banning sweet names and bright colours on vape packaging, and 71% back banning child-appealing flavour names. The letter argues the views of a vocal minority should not outweigh overwhelming public and professional support for these evidence-based, proportionate measures. Signatories include Cancer Research UK, Asthma and Lung UK, the King's Fund, and the NASUWT teachers' union. Ash also highlighted loopholes in cigar and cigarillo regulations, noting increased use among 16-19-year-olds and growing menthol cigarillo sales since the flavoured cigarette ban. Polling shows 60% support extending plain packaging to cigars across party lines. Experts, including Prof Steve Turner, Dr Ian Walker, Sarah Woolnough, and Matt Wrack, emphasise children must be protected from marketing designed to encourage tobacco and nicotine use, while vapes remain accessible for adults quitting smoking. The Department of Health and Social Care says it will carefully consider all consultation responses.

(Source：London Broadcasting Company)