Experts press UK ministers to keep tough vape and tobacco packaging rules
Over 1,700 health and education professionals have urged the government to reject industry attempts to dilute new vape and tobacco packaging restrictions aimed at protecting children.
Hundreds of health and education specialists, organized by Action on Smoking and Health, have appealed to UK ministers to stand firm on a suite of new regulations targeting vape and tobacco marketing to children. The proposals, unveiled in July, call for plain packaging, plain devices, restrictions on flavour descriptions and the removal of products from visible shop shelves. In a letter signed by more than 1,700 professionals—including representatives from Cancer Research UK, Asthma and Lung UK, the King’s Fund and NASUWT—the experts argue that a vocal minority of industry lobbyists should not outweigh broad public and professional backing.
Recent YouGov polling commissioned by Ash shows 63% of adults support standardising all tobacco products, while 79% favor banning sweet, cartoon or bright-coloured vape branding and 71% back a ban on child-appealing flavour names. The consultation closes on Friday, and the Department of Health and Social Care reiterates that colourful packaging and prominent displays are key factors encouraging youth nicotine use.
Why it matters
The outcome will shape how children are shielded from nicotine marketing across the UK.
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