16th July - Jack Abbott Backs Government Crackdown on Vapes Marketed to Children

The fact that more than one million 11 to 17-year-olds across Great Britain said they'd tried vaping last year should be a wake-up call. We cannot stand by while more children are exposed to addictive nicotine products.

Vapes can play an important role in helping adults quit smoking, but they should never be packaged or promoted in ways that appeal to children, especially those who have never smoked.

When products are brightly coloured, given names that sound like sweets or desserts and displayed prominently in shops, it's easy to see why parents are worried. As a Government we have a responsibility to make sure these products are aimed at adults trying to quit smoking, not at young people.

That's why I strongly welcome the Government’s new proposals on plain packaging and display restrictions for vapes. They strike the right balance by protecting children from nicotine addiction while ensuring adults who want to stop smoking can still access vaping as an effective quitting aid.

It is another important step towards creating the first smoke-free generation and giving every child the healthiest possible start in life.