Vaping

Vaping has evolved far beyond its original justification as a smoking‑cessation tool. Instead, it has become a largely unregulated industry targeting young people. The aggressive marketing, sweetshop flavouring, and toy‑like packaging make clear that many manufacturers are not aiming their products at long‑term smokers seeking to quit, but at children and young non‑smokers.

My Liberal Democrat Parliamentary colleagues and I have consistently argued that regulation should catch up with reality, and have campaigned to halt the dangerous rise of vaping among children by introducing stronger rules, including:

• Standardised packaging, to prevent child‑targeted branding;
• A ban on toy‑like advertising, which is clearly designed to appeal to under‑18s;
• A ban on the sale of single‑use vapes, both on health grounds and, separately, on environmental grounds;
• Licensing of vape sales, to ensure responsible, regulated retail;
• All while still recognising a legitimate role for regulated vaping products in helping adult smokers quit.

Vaping should be subject to the same principles which successfully reduced smoking harm; appropriate taxation, rigorous regulation, and clear restrictions on use in workplaces and hospitality venues.