Member

197: After Clause 157, insert the following new Clause— “Independent expert panel on vaping(1) Within six months of the day on which this Act is passed, the Secretary of State must establish an expert panel, consisting of members independent from the production, distribution, supply or sale of vaping or nicotine products.(2) The expert panel constituted under subsection (1) must consist of members nominated by the Secretary of State, whom the Secretary of State considers to have relevant expertise in relation to—(a) the health effects of vape use or of nicotine addiction,(b) consumer behaviour in respect of vaping or nicotine use, or(c) the economic effects of the market for vaping and nicotine products.(3) The expert panel must report to Parliament not less frequently than annually incorporating evidence relating to—(a) the health effects of the use of vaping or nicotine products,(b) the supply and use of such products by consumers, and(c) the impacts of regulations made under this Act on the supply and use of vaping and nicotine products.(4) The expert panel may make in its report such recommendations relating to the use of powers under this Act, in respect of vaping and nicotine products, as the panel considers to be beneficial in the light of the evidence they have identified.(5) In making regulations under this Act in regard to vaping products and nicotine products, the Secretary of State and Ministers for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland must have regard to the reports of the expert panel and their recommendations.”Member’s explanatory statement This new clause seeks to provide a continuing source of evidence to support the future implementation of the regime for vaping and nicotine products.