I note concerns about the World Health Organisation's proposals around vaping for the Conference of the Parties Tenth Meeting (COP10). However, the UK remains committed to the convention as a world leader in tobacco control. This is compatible with the position that my colleague Andrea Leadsom set out during a recent debate, that as a sovereign nation, it is not within the WHO’s remit to intervene in our internal affairs.
The Government has regularly set out its position on vaping at the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. Led by the civil servant Dr Jeanelle de Gruchy, during the Conference in February 2024, the delegation will not agree to any decisions which would impact on the UK's ability to make regulated vapes available for adult smokers who wish to quit smoking.
In addition, I want to be clear that the UK has no plans to implement further restrictions on advertising and sponsorship, particularly in light of the COP’s desire to see further restrictions implemented. The UK will also be pushing for assessor contributions to remain at the same level as now.
As with previous events at the Conference of the Parties, the Government will use the opportunity in 2024 to speak about the UK’s progress on the implementation of tobacco control policies. This will include the role of nicotine replacement therapy and vapes in supporting people to quit all forms of tobacco.
Once the Conference has taken place, my colleague Andrea Leadsom - the Minister for Public Health - has committed to provide a statement to Parliament, which will update MPs on the proceedings and key outcomes.
(January 2024)
