Stephen Morgan MP has backed the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, currently working its way through Parliament, which will go some way in addressing the challenges in our city’s high streets with the appearance of “dodgy shops”.
Mr Morgan has reiterated his support for this bill following the official launch of his “Stop Dodgy Shops” campaign, intended to build community support to crack down on rogue traders and protect Portsmouth’s shopping streets.
This landmark bill will see a series of measures implemented that will address the recent rise in illicit practices concerning the sale of tobacco and vape products, including the sale of illegal products and the sale of products to children, in Portsmouth.
Although selling nicotine vapes to under 18s is illegal, illicit businesses across Britain have contributed to a doubling in youth vaping in the last five years by choosing to sell to children.
As part of this campaign, he is calling on local people and businesses to sign a petition expressing support for action on dodgy shops, including vape shops.
To add your name to this petition, and share suggestions for further action to prohibit and prosecute illicit activity across Portsmouth’s shopping streets, click here.
Crucial measures within the Tobacco and Vapes Bill will support Mr Morgan’s crackdown on dodgy shops, including:
- Enabling trading standards to issue fixed penalty notices to businesses for breaches of restrictions.
- Banning all vaping and nicotine products from being sold to under 18s, closing loopholes on non-nicotine vapes and nicotine pouches.
Commenting, Stephen Morgan, MP for Portsmouth South, said:
“In recent years we have seen rogue traders taking advantage of loopholes or weak enforcement within our city. This has unfortunately included illicit vape shops selling and illicit vape shops selling unsafe products to young people.
“I have launched my “Stop Dodgy Shops” campaign to address serious community issues like this that are continuing the cycle of addiction and endangering our city’s children.
“The Government’s Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which I am proud to back, will be crucial in tackling this issue head on, providing much needed measures to hold finally businesses to account for the illicit sale of tobacco and vape products.”
Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Wes Streeting, said:
“No child in a playground or hospital patient should suffer because someone else chooses to smoke.
“Second-hand smoke increases the risk of heart disease and lung cancer and we want to protect children and the sick from harm.
“Prevention is better than cure, so this government is taking pressure off the NHS and building a healthier Britain where everyone lives well for longer.”
