Protecting the public realm without shutting it down
As Martyn's Law approaches, this free special report from LocalGov and Hill & Smith sets out how councils can protect public spaces without shutting them down.
Councils set to gain powers to block new betting and vape shops
11/08/2026 Councils are to be given strengthened powers to prevent new betting and vape shops from opening, the Prime Minister has announced. |
Vape ban loophole fuelling bin lorry fires, councils warn
01/06/2026 Councils are calling on the Government to close a loophole in disposable vape regulations that is causing a surge in bin lorry and waste centre fires across England. |
Poll finds over 90% in favour of more smokefree areas
13/05/2026 A charity has called for the rollout of clear guidance that enables councils to support adults in quitting smoking, following a poll which reveals widespread support for more smokefree public spaces. |
Stockpiling vapes could ‘cost lives’, says the LGA
30/05/2025 Stockpiling single-use vapes ahead of the ban could cause severe health and fire hazards, council chiefs warn. |
Government announces 10-year study on youth vaping
19/02/2025 A £62m research project will provide ‘the most detailed picture yet’ of the the long-term health effects of vaping on children, ministers have announced. |
Vape industry proposes alcohol-style licensing scheme
21/02/2024 A first-of-its kind licensing framework for the UK vape industry is being put forward in Parliament today. |
Disposable vapes to be banned
29/01/2024 Disposable vapes will be banned in the UK to protect children’s health, the Government announced today. |
Half of young vapers never regularly smoked, study finds
24/01/2024 A new study has found that 316,000 young people who use disposable vapes never regularly smoked tobacco, but warns that banning the vape products would risk causing relapse among ex-smokers. |
Councils respond to King’s Speech
08/11/2023 The Local Government Association (LGA) has responded to proposed legislation announced yesterday in the King’s Speech. |
Council chiefs welcome reports of disposable vape ban
13/09/2023 Local authority leaders have welcomed reports that the Government is planning to ban disposable vapes. |
Number of vapes discarded each week soars to five million
08/09/2023 Five million single-use vapes are thrown away in the UK every week, an almost four-fold increase on last year, according to research from Material Focus. |
Councils call for ban of disposable vapes
17/07/2023 Council chiefs have called on the Government to ban disposable e-cigarettes over concerns about their impact on the environment and young people. |
