Ban on disposable vapes likely to become law after limited opposition by Tory MPs

Plans to ban disposable vapes and gradually phase out smoking for people of all ages in the UK appear likely to pass into law with minimal fuss as only a handful of Conservative MPs have objected publicly to the proposals.

- Peter Walker

Both measures will be voted on in parliament, Downing Street confirmed yesterday. While Conservative MPs will be given a non-whipped free vote on the smoking ban, it remains to be decided if this will apply on vapes.

The ban on disposable vapes, along with action to combat the sale of some child-friendly fruit-flavoured varieties and impose restrictions  on packaging and in-shop displays, would come into force late this year or in early 2025 via a mixture of a bill and secondary legislation.

The already-announced ban on selling tobacco products to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009 will also be introduced as a law, potentially in the same bill as that connected to vaping.

Although Labour is likely to back both measures, meaning they are guaranteed to pass, Rishi Sunak might have expected a significant pushback from libertarian-minded Tory MPs.