Our policy

Doctors witness first-hand the devastating effects of smoking on their patients.

The BMA has a long history and strong policy for supporting measures to reduce tobacco-related harm, and has developed wide-ranging policy in this area. Many of these have been successfully implemented, supporting a long-term decline in overall smoking prevalence.

Despite this, smoking remains a leading cause of preventable illness and premature death in the UK.BMA policy on tobacco includes support for:

• the provision of adequately funded, targeted smoking cessation services
• increasing taxation on all tobacco products above the rate of inflation and, specifically,
• increasing the tobacco tax escalator from two to five per cent above inflation
• a positive licensing scheme to reduce the number of tobacco outlets
• continued reduction tobacco marketing opportunities
• limiting pro-smoking imagery in entertainment media.

Vapes – a need for better regulation

Vapes have been found to aid smoking cessation. However, they are not intended to be used beyond this purpose. Yet vape use has risen significantly over recent years, particularly by children and young people. 7.6% of 11-17 year olds are now vaping, compared to 1.3% in 2014. This urgently needs to be addressed. 

The latest BMA report sets out what is needed to address their growing appeal, especially among children and calls on UK Government to implement tighter regulations of vapes. 

Key recommendations

The BMA calls on UK Government to: 

Recommendation 1 - Ban the manufacture for commercial sale, and the commercial sale of all disposable vapes, on the grounds of disproportionate and harmful use by children and young people and their adverse impact on the environment.

Recommendation 2 – Ban all non-tobacco vape flavours.

Recommendation 3 – Prohibit the use of all imagery, colouring and branding for both the packaging and vape device.

Recommendation 4 – Reduce visibility of vapes through further restrictions on all advertising and marketing; and ensure vapes are kept behind the counter and not on display in shops and retail outlets.

Recommendation 5 - Tackle the illegal sales of vapes by accompanying tighter regulations with:

a)       The requirement for manufacturers to provide clear product information.

b)      Government funded and delivered education campaigns:

o   for retailers on products, details of regulation and consequences of non-compliance

o   for the public on the dangers of vapes to reduce appeal

c)       Increased and adequate resources, funding and powers for regulating bodies such as Trading Standards and Border Force to enable regular and consistent monitoring and enforcement.

d)      An increase in the limits of fines and sanctions that regulatory bodies can issue.

Recommendation 6 - Implement tighter regulation and restrictions for related nicotine products, such as nicotine pouches to prevent their availability and marketing towards children and young people. This should include age of sale restrictions, plain packaging, clear product contents information and restricted point of sale displays.