Current status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 18 August 2025
To ask the Scottish Government what impact any delay to the completion of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill by the UK Parliament might have on the timeline of the implementation of vape and tobacco restrictions in Scotland.
The Tobacco and Vapes Bill is expected to complete its passage within the current UK Parliamentary session (2024-2025). The Bill provides that the changes to the age of sale for tobacco products will come into force on 1 January 2027 and that date would not be impacted by any delay to the Bill passing. When other parts of the Bill come into force depends on when the Bill is passed, and it will not be possible to make any regulations in advance of the Bill coming into force. However, 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.