Current status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 18 August 2025
To ask the Scottish Government, regarding the implementation of the UK Tobacco and Vapes Bill in Scotland, what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding potential additional restrictions to nicotine vaping products that could be introduced through secondary legislation should the Bill be passed by the UK Parliament.
The Tobacco and Vapes Bill is expected to complete its passage within the current UK Parliamentary session (2024/2025). The Bill explicitly states that the changes to the age of sale for tobacco products will come into force on 1 January 2027. Any changes to this date would require amendments to the Bill and so it is not expected that this date would be impacted by any delay to the Bill passing within this session. Other parts of the Bill will come into force on set periods of time after Royal Assent or by dates to be set in regulations. It will not be possible to make any regulations in advance of the Bill coming into force. However, the Scottish Government is working with officials across the 4-nations to prepare for implementation and, in the event of any delay, the impact is expected to be minimal. Once the Bill has passed, Parliament will be updated on a confirmed timescale for implementation.