RCGP response to the Tobacco and Vapes Bill

RCGP President Victoria Tzortziou Brown welcomes the landmark Tobacco and Vapes Bill gaining Royal Assent as a decisive step towards preventing addiction, reducing health inequalities and improving the nation’s health.

Professor Victoria Tzortziou Brown, President of the RCGP, said:

“This is a landmark win for public health. The Tobacco and Vapes Bill represents one of the most significant steps in a generation towards preventing the devastating harms caused by smoking. As GPs, we see the consequences of tobacco addiction every day in our consultations, from cancer and respiratory disease to cardiovascular illness and reduced life expectancy. 

“Creating a smoke-free generation is a decisive step that will stop young people from ever taking up smoking, helping to end a cycle of addiction that has driven stark and persistent health inequalities for decades.”

“We also strongly support action to curb youth vaping products, particularly measures to limit advertising and reduce the appeal of nicotine to children. While vaping can play a role in supporting adult smokers to quit, it is vital that we prevent it from being a gateway to addiction for a new generation. This legislation must now be matched with sustained investment in smoking cessation services, including in general practice and community settings, so that people who smoke today get the support they need to quit for good.”

Further information

RCGP press office: 0203 188 7659

press@rcgp.org.uk

Notes to editors

The Royal College of General Practitioners is a network of more than 54,000 family doctors working to improve care for patients. We work to encourage and maintain the highest standards of general medical practice and act as the voice of GPs on education, training, research and clinical standards.