
As Shadow Health Minister, I am pleased to be sitting on the Tobacco and Vapes Bill Committee, which began its work this week.
Public Bill Committees are a vital part of the democratic process, whereby a cross-party group of MPs go through the entire Bill line-by-line to scrutinise how the legislation will work in practice. The Committee takes evidence from outside organisations and provides amendments to make the Bill as effective as possible, before it returns to both Houses for voting.
Having started my campaign on tackling teen vaping back in February 2023, and having supported the previous Government's Bill, I welcome that the new Government is now taking this important piece of legislation through the House. I am working hard on the Committee to ensure that this legislation will deliver on halting the staggering rise in teen vaping which has affected so many young people, families and local schools. It will also protect the environment from the dangerous impact of disposable vapes and contains provisions to create the first smoke free generation.