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UK Introduces Tobacco and Vapes Bill to Ban Smoking Outside Schools and Hospitals, Excludes Pub Gardens

Nov 5, 2024, 08:03 AM

The UK government has introduced the Tobacco and Vapes Bill in Parliament, aiming to create the first "smoke-free generation." The proposed legislation includes measures to ban smoking outside schools, hospitals, and children's playgrounds in England. Health Secretary Wes Streeting confirmed that while the ban will apply to certain outdoor spaces, it will not extend to pub gardens or the outdoor hospitality industry. The bill also seeks to crack down on youth vaping by preventing vapes from being targeted at children. Professor Chris Whitty, England's Chief Medical Officer, explained that the government's plans are designed to protect public health, reduce pressure on the National Health Service, and address the economic costs associated with smoking. The government aims to protect children and vulnerable people from the harms of secondhand smoke.