Proposals to restrict nicotine products referred to scrutiny body

Updates to legislation seeks to restrict them to anyone born in or after 2008

The Isle of Man could see new restrictions on tobacco and nicotine products after one MHK called for a total ban on the sale of them to those born on or after 1 January 2008.

Rushen member Michelle Haywood thinks there's number of gaps in the current legislation and wants to 'futureproof' the law as many tobacco companies now look to selling e-cigarettes instead.

She wants to make changes to the already existing Children and Young Person’s Act 1966 and Public Health (Tobacco) Act 2006.

Dr Haywood's proposals were reigned back in the House of Keys though after some members of government queried the effects such a move could have.

Subsequently Infrastructure Minister Tim Crookall amended her proposals and pushed for a committee to be set up to collect evidence ahead of any decisions taking place.

Chief Minister Alfred Cannan spoke about how such a move could affect already existing legislation with regards to penalties of retailers that continue selling the items.

He questioned if there might be an increased black-market prevalence.

The UK government has proposed similar legislation.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak looked to make selling tobacco illegal to anyone born after 1 January 2009.

That's since been paused because of the upcoming general election though but Labour says it would commit to that policy too if there is a change in leadership. 

Mr Cannan said he wonders if the Isle of Man should wait until the UK has implemented it first: