Overview
- More than 1,200 health professionals urged rapid approval in a cross‑party letter as the House of Lords opened the bill’s committee stage on Monday.
- The bill would prohibit tobacco sales to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009 and strengthen controls on vaping, with officials pointing to new retailer licensing, on‑the‑spot fines and £30m for enforcement.
- Lord Strathcarron has tabled an amendment to raise the purchase age to 21 instead of a generational ban and said he discussed the bill with an in‑law he described as “very high up” at BAT, which says it is unaware of any engagement.
- Tobacco groups have threatened legal action and pursued political allies to water down the proposals, while a Forest survey reported public support for alternatives such as keeping 18 or raising the age to 21.
- Illicit‑trade experts warn the plan could expand the black market without robust policing, citing South Africa’s experience, as ministers argue tougher powers will target illicit and underage sales.