The UK is set to create its first “smoke-free generation” by announcing a smoking and vape ban for under-18s.
After the government announced its intention in 2024, the House of Commons and Lords have now agreed on the final draft of legislation that would ban anyone born after 2008 from buying cigarettes.
The Tobacco and Vapes Bill would prevent anyone born after 1 January 2009 (ie any child aged 17 and under) from purchasing tobacco-related products, and is now awaiting royal assent before becoming law.
Why is Britain banning smoking?
Smoking substantially increases the risk of major health conditions like stroke, diabetes, heart disease, stillbirth, dementia and asthma.
As reported, smoking is responsible for approximately 80,000 deaths per year in the UK, puts an enormous amount of pressure on the NHS, costs taxpayers up to £3.1 billion per year, and leads to 75,000 GP appointments every month, or over 100 every hour.
Key elements of the Smoking and Vape Bill:
The bill will give the government new powers to regulate tobacco, vaping and nicotine products, including flavors and packaging, and will also make provisions about smoke-free spaces.
Notably, Britain would be the only other country in the world with a generational tobacco ban in place in the Maldives, which has already stopped young people born after 2006 from smoking.
