Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the definition of substantial discount will be under the Tobacco and Vapes Act and how it will be enforced.

There is currently no restriction on the free distribution of samples of nicotine or non-nicotine vapes. It is completely unacceptable that a child could be given a harmful product that could lead them to a lifetime of addiction.

That is why the Tobacco and Vapes Bill introduces a ban on businesses giving away any tobacco, herbal smoking, vaping, or nicotine products, as well as cigarette papers, to a member of the public.

To support this, it will also be an offence to sell one of these products at a substantial discount. The bill does not give a definition of what constitutes a substantial discount because this will be different depending on the product and circumstances in question. However, further guidance will be provided after the bill becomes law.

Enforcement action will be taken by the relevant enforcement authority if businesses do not comply.