Government to consult on banning vaping in ‘public’ places
The Government has announced a new consultation, beginning today, that will invite submissions on a range of issues related to smoking and vaping.
These include extending the smoking ban to children’s play areas and outside schools. Proposals also include a ban on vaping in cars carrying children but, as Chris Snowdon pointed out when speaking to Jeremy Vine on Radio 2 today, this is a bit of a distraction because the ultimate goal is to ban vaping in every ‘public’ place where smoking is already prohibited, notably pubs, cafes and restaurants.
I’ve done a few interviews myself today, warming up on BBC Radio Solent where the guest before me – a vape retailer – shocked me by supporting a ban on vaping in public places, insisting that vaping must be kept private (but not in cars with children, presumably).
At one o’clock I was interviewed by Isabel Webster on Channel 5 alongside regular panellists Yasmin Alibhai-Brown and Mike Perry, and in 30 minutes I’m on GB News.
The reason Channel 5 invited me on is because Yasmin Alibhai-Brown and Mike Perry are keen to see vaping banned in cars carrying children, and the producer wanted some balance. (Are you listening, Five Live?) Funnily enough, despite insisting he hates the nanny state, Mike supports a complete ban on smoking while driving as well, arguing that it’s a distraction and therefore dangerous.
When I pointed out that smoking while driving has been commonplace for more than half a century, and there are no records of accidents caused by a combination of the two, Mike doubled down with a story concerning someone who dropped a lit cigarette whilst driving and it fell between his legs – a dangerous distraction, Mike concluded. That’s not evidence, I told him, it’s an anecdote.
Credit: iStock
Anyway, I have mixed feelings about the proposed bans on vaping in public places. Forest will oppose them, obviously, because there is no currently no evidence that passive vaping (sic) is a threat to anyone, including children. But I can’t forget or forgive that whenever smoking is threatened with further restrictions, including prohibition, the pro-vaping lobby has, with very few exceptions, sat on their hands and said nothing. Worse, they’re more than happy to throw smokers who don’t want to quit under the bus if it helps their cause.
Meanwhile I’ve been out there for almost 15 years, defending vaping and opposing unnecessary restrictions on both the product and the habit. That’s because Forest believes in choice and it doesn’t matter whether it’s smoking or vaping – if the product is legal, we don’t discriminate. Adults should be allowed to consume cigarettes, cigars, e-cigarettes and now nicotine pouches without constant intervention by politicians and public health campaigners.
It’s worth noting, by the way, that the consultation announced by the Government today has been launched even before the Tobacco and Vapes Bill has received royal assent, which is expected to happen next month. That’s relevant because the Bill gives ministers the power to extend the smoking ban, and introduce further restrictions on vaping and e-cigarettes, without having to go back to Parliament for further debate and approval.
The speed, therefore, with which the Government has announced the 12-week consultation suggests a government (or health secretary) in a hurry to proceed. Perhaps they think it will distract from the prime minister’s current woes, or perhaps Wes Streeting thinks it may help his leadership bid.
Either way, smoking and vaping are at even greater risk than they’ve been for years – and if you don’t believe me, you haven’t read the Tobacco and Vapes Bill.
Open consultation: Smoke-free, heated tobacco-free and vape-free places in England (closing date: May 8)
