{"id":69630,"date":"2026-04-29T15:46:38","date_gmt":"2026-04-29T14:46:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/news\/?p=69630"},"modified":"2026-04-29T15:46:41","modified_gmt":"2026-04-29T14:46:41","slug":"south-west-directors-of-public-health-welcome-tobacco-vapes-act-becoming-law-urge-520000-people-who-smoke-take-moment-quit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/news\/south-west-directors-of-public-health-welcome-tobacco-vapes-act-becoming-law-urge-520000-people-who-smoke-take-moment-quit\/","title":{"rendered":"South West Directors of Public Health welcome Tobacco and Vapes Act becoming law \u2013 and urge the 520,000 people who smoke to take the moment to quit"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Directors of Public Health across the South West of England have today welcomed Royal Assent of the Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026, describing it as a once-in-a-generation moment in the fight against the leading cause of preventable death in the region.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new Act,  which introduces a generational ban on the sale of tobacco to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009; new powers to create further smoke-free places; a UK-wide ban on vape advertising and sponsorship; and a licensing scheme for retailers of tobacco and nicotine products, received Royal Assent on Wednesday 29 April.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The generational age-of-sale provisions are expected to come into force from 1 January 2027.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In February 2026, the Directors of Public Health of the South West, alongside their Council Leaders, wrote jointly to the Minister for Public Health and Prevention, urging the Government to ensure the Bill\u2019s swift and undiluted passage through its final Parliamentary stages. <\/p>\n\n\n

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Councillor Cheryl Cottle-Hunkin, our Cabinet Member for Public Health, said:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cIn Devon we see every day how tobacco addiction drives ill health and widens the gap between our most and least deprived communities.<\/p>\n

“This new law is a major step towards protecting children and young people from an industry that relies on recruiting the next generation of customers, and it will help create healthier places for everyone to live, learn and work.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut legislation is only part of the answer. We\u2019ll keep working with the NHS, schools, Trading Standards, community pharmacies and local businesses to make it easier for people to quit, to support responsible retailers, and to reduce exposure to second-hand smoke.<\/p>\n

“If you smoke, please take this moment to reach out for free help \u2013 stopping is one of the best things you can do for your health and for your family.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\r\n Councillor Cheryl Cottle-Hunkin, Cabinet Member for Rural Affairs and Broadband<\/a><\/figcaption>\r\n <\/figure>\r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n <\/div>\n\n\n

While the generational ban will protect future generations, public health leaders are urging the more than 520,000 adults across the South West who currently smoke to use this moment as a prompt to stop for good.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The latest NHS data shows that momentum is already building: nearly 26,000 people in the South West pledged to stop smoking in the year to March 2025, up from around 15,000 the year before, and 13,500 of them had not smoked a cigarette four weeks into their quit attempt, a 79 per cent increase on the previous year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Steve Brown, Director of Public Health Devon, added:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDespite significant progress over the past decade to reduce the number of people smoking, tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable illness and early death, with more than 30 people dying every month in Devon and Torbay alone from smoking related disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“The passing of this act is a huge step forward to not only help support current smokers who wish to quit but crucially stop the recruitment of new young smokers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe majority of smokers took up the habit in their teenage years, with the vast majority of smokers saying they wish they never started. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

“This Bill is going to make it even harder for tobacco manufactures to recruit new young customers while helping those current smokers to seek support to quit.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

People who smoke in Devon can access free support in several ways:<\/p>\n\n\n\n