Jump to contentIndependentSwipe for next articleIndependent Bulletin homepageDownload our appAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleAthena StavrouTuesday 11 August 2026 14:04 BSTAngela Rayner and Prime Minister Andy Burnham talk to police officers outside a vape shop in Ilkeston, Derbyshire (AFP/Getty)Communities Secretary Angela Rayner has described her nicotine addiction as a “lifetime of purgatory”, revealing she would be devastated if her children started vaping.Ms Rayner said that she began smoking as a teenager and switched to e-cigarettes to quit cigarettes, but despises her ongoing dependence on nicotine.Her comments come as the government unveils plans to grant councils greater powers to block new vape stores and betting shops to revitalise high streets.Under the proposed regulations, new vape shops will require planning permission from next year, and legal definitions will be tightened to stop retailers bypassing rules.The broader high street strategy aims to curb rogue operators, tackle garish shop fronts, and remove restrictions that limit town halls from refusing gambling licences.In fullAngela Rayner says she would be ‘devastated’ if her children vaped as she admits she can’t quitMore bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in