The Government is facing calls to close a loophole to stop heated tobacco products – which heat up tobacco instead of burning it like a cigarette – being advertised in supermarkets
Adverts for heated tobacco devices must be banned, the Government has been warned.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting is facing calls to close a loophole to stop the products being advertised in supermarkets. Heated tobacco products heat up tobacco instead of burning it like a cigarette.
Dr Beccy Cooper MP, a public health doctor and Labour member of the Health and Social Care Select Committee, called on the Government to make the ban of such adverts “explicit” in the the Tobacco and Vapes Bill. The legislation is in its final stages of parliamentary scrutiny. Further debate will be held tomorrow.
Dr Cooper told The Mirror: “The Government has been clear that it is illegal to advertise any tobacco products in supermarkets and that includes heated tobacco devices.
“Despite this, some supermarkets have continued to display ads for these products, even though the Government has told them it is against the law. The Tobacco and Vapes Bill needs to make this absolutely explicit.”
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Lib Dem peer Baroness Northover last week told the House of Lords that the advertisement of heated tobacco products is “unacceptable” and called for the inclusion of the devices in the bill “without ambiguity or exception”.
She said: “Heated tobacco products should not be conflated with vapes. Vapes can be and are recommended for smoking cessation, following evidence, including a Cochrane review, showing that they are a helpful tool for smokers. Heated tobacco products do not meet that standard and are not recommended by NICE…
“If we are indeed serious about creating a smoke-free generation, all tobacco products, including heated tobacco, must be included without ambiguity or exception.”
In June last year, the Government wrote to Sainsbury’s and Morrisons to ask them to stop “advertising and promotion” of heated tobacco products.
Adverts Philip Morris International’s (PMI) IQoS heated tobacco device was on display at their stores. At the time, PMI said it had “complied with all applicable laws and regulations” since it launched iQos in 2016.
A Sainsbury’s spokeswoman said: “We offer a range of age-restricted products under our strict Think25 policy, including this heated tobacco device which is advertised. This is an alternative to cigarettes and is fully compliant with current legislation. We recognise the deeply complex and emotive nature of this topic.
“We remain in close contact with the Government and industry partners and are planning our transition to ensure we also comply with planned incoming legislation.”
A Department of Health and Social Care spokeswoman said: “All tobacco products are harmful to health and there is no safe level of tobacco consumption.
“It is the Department’s view that the advertising of any tobacco product including heated tobacco is already illegal, and our landmark Tobacco and Vapes Bill will make this even more explicit to put us on track to a smoke-free UK.”