Fed Continues call for Government to Engage with Retailers after Tobacco and Vapes Act Passage

The Federation of Independent Retailers (the Fed) has written to the Secretary of State for Business, the Rt Hon Peter Kyle MP, calling for clear engagement with small independent retail businesses as the Tobacco and Vapes Act is brought on to the Statute Book.

The Fed has closely engaged with the legislation as the Bill was developed and it finally received Royal Assent on 29^થ April, with the Act due to take effect next year.

Hetal Patel, National President of the Fed, wrote in his letter to Mr. Kyle: “As we have stated in previous engagement with the Government, we are open to some aspects of the Bill, including restrictions on tobacco products to children, a limited increase in the current smoking age on cigarettes and the principle of licensing. However, we feel more needs to be done to ensure that retailers are communicated with and their feedback is heard. This is particularly the case regarding the potential costs and disruption caused by licence applications.”

Mr. Patel also highlighted concern about communication on details for the Generational Smoking ban, which is due to take effect in January next year, meaning no one born after 2008 will ever be able to buy a cigarette and the possibility it could create friction and conflict between shoppers and retailers. He also highlighted the need for proper resourcing of trading standards following a growth in the illicit trade of tobacco and vape products.

The Bill received cross party support when it entered the statute book last week. Former Conservative Prime Rishi Sunak MP – who first championed the Generational Smoking ban in 2023 – said he welcomed the news: “This is not a party-political issue, as shown by the support from parliamentarians of all persuasions.”

However, the Fed is calling for Government to assist on preparation for what happens next. Mr. Patel’s letter said: “it [the Act’s]’s measures will begin to be implemented soon, we want to work with Parliamentarians and the Government to ensure the challenges facing small shops are fully heard and they are given the information they need so they can prepare.”