UK okays bill to ban smoking for future generations

LONDON: Both houses of the UK Parliament have approved the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, a landmark measure that will ban anyone aged 17 or under from legally purchasing cigarettes.

The legislation targets people born on or after 1 January 2009, with the aim of creating the UK’s first smoke-free generation.

Once it receives royal assent, the bill will become law and significantly reshape tobacco control policies across the country.

UK Health Secretary Wes Strating called the move a “historic moment” for public health, saying it would protect future generations from addiction and long-term harm.

The bill also gives the government powers to extend the ban on indoor smoking to certain outdoor areas, including playgrounds and places near schools and hospitals.

It also introduces stricter regulations on vaping, including limits on flavours, packaging, and use in smoke-free areas.

The move is part of a wider effort to strengthen preventive healthcare and reduce long-term pressure on the National Health Service.

Public health experts have welcomed the development. Hazel Cheeseman, from Action on Smoking and Health, called it a “game-changer” in tackling the harms of smoking.

Smoking remains a major health problem in England, causing around 75,000 deaths a year and accounting for around a quarter of all deaths, according to NHS figures.

Similar measures have been introduced globally. New Zealand passed a comparable law in 2022 before repealing it in 2023, while the Maldives recently imposed a ban on cigarette sales to younger generations.

The UK government says the new law is a significant step towards a healthier, smoke-free future.