Bournemouth parents doubt the 'smoke free generation' scheme

The new Tobacco and Vapes Bill was announced by the UK government in March in an attempt to create a 'smoke free generation.' However it is met by concerns of parents who think it will not stop kids vaping as 1 in 5 UK children have tried it.

The new Tobacco and Vape Bill was announced by the government on the 20th March.

This new bill sets out to ‘restrict vape flavours and packaging that is marketed at children’ and keep vape displays out of children’s sight.

Rishi Sunak said this will deliver on their commitment to create a smoke free generation.

However, parents in Dorset don’t think this is enough to stop children vaping.

Susan Rounder, Bournemouth resident and parent, said: “Children will always want to use products aimed for adults, they see their parents vaping or smoking and want to copy them.”

“The real issue here is parents leading bad examples for their kids.”

Smoking and vaping alike contain nicotine, a harmful substance which can affect your health.

One in four cancer-related deaths are caused by smoking.

Under separate environmental legislation, the government will also ban the supply and sale of disposable vapes from April 2025.

Disposable vapes are said to cause more children to vape, with a nine times increase of 11-17 year olds using one-use vapes over the past two years.

Concerns that parents set a bad example for their children through vaping or smoking has not gone unnoticed.

The government announced £70 million of funding for local ‘stop smoking’ services to help adult smokers quit the habit and eradicate this issue.