The Tobacco Control Research Group (TCRG) has published a new paper that sheds light on how the tobacco and nicotine industries responded to the UK's Tobacco and Vapes Bill during the 2023/24 policymaking process. The researchers analyzed 43 documents from 33 organizations and individuals, with a significant portion originating from transnational tobacco companies (TTCs) or organizations with current or historic ties to TTCs.
This groundbreaking research is the first to examine the industries' reaction to the bill, which, if implemented, would make the UK the first country to introduce a generational sales ban on tobacco products and impose strict regulations on nicotine products, including e-cigarettes.
Lead author Britta Matthes emphasizes that despite claims of transformation and support for the government's smoke-free ambition, Big Tobacco continues to employ its usual tactics to undermine public health policies. She stresses the importance of policymakers being aware of the arguments made by the tobacco industry and its affiliated organizations to prevent the introduction of amendments that could create exploitable loopholes.
The original 2023/24 Bill failed to proceed due to a general election in May 2024. However, the new government introduced a more ambitious version in November 2024, which has passed the Committee Stage and will enter the Report Stage on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, before its final reading in the House of Commons and subsequent consideration in the House of Lords.
