I respond to the Department of Health and Social Care consultation on widening the scope of places where smoking, vaping and heated tobacco products are used.
My full response is set out on my Substack: England’s proposed anti-vaping policy casually tramples over basic rights
The government has produced two documents available on .gov.uk to explain and justify the proposals.
- Open consultation: Smoke-free, heated tobacco-free and vape-free places in England 13 February 2026
- Consultations stage impact assessment (IA), 13 February 2026.
There is a consultation to solicit public views: access online here (closed 8 May 2026)
In summary:
The short version is that the Department has failed to make a credible case for central government intervention through legislation. The government ignored the superior alternative option of letting the owners and managers of properties, including local authorities, and education and healthcare providers, decide policy based on their specific and evolving circumstances. The key policy question is not what the policy should be in any particular place, but who should decide.