Britain passes law banning tobacco sales to those born after 2009
Kyiv • UNN
Lawmakers have approved a ban on cigarette sales to individuals born after 2009. The new rules also restrict advertising and sales of vapes to minors.
Children in the UK aged 17 or younger, as well as all those born in the future, will never be able to legally buy cigarettes after lawmakers approved new stricter smoking restrictions. This is reported by Reuters, writes UNN.
Details
The Tobacco and Vapes Bill raises the minimum age for tobacco purchase by one year annually, starting with people born on or after January 1, 2009, meaning a lifetime ban for these age groups.
The law, which is expected to receive royal assent next week, also tightens controls on vaping, including banning the sale of vapes and nicotine products to individuals under 18 and restricting advertising, display, free distribution, and discounts.
The government states that these measures will help reduce smoking rates and prevent nicotine addiction among young people, thereby reducing the long-term burden on the National Health Service.
Health Minister Wes Streeting called the bill's approval a historic moment for the nation's health.
Children in the UK will be part of the first smoke-free generation, protected from lifelong addiction and harm. Prevention is better than cure — this reform will save lives, reduce the burden on the healthcare system, and make Britain healthier.
Smoking causes about 64,000 deaths and 400,000 hospitalizations each year in England, according to official estimates, and costs the National Health Service approximately £3 billion ($4 billion) annually, while broader economic costs exceed £20 billion.
Stricter rules for vaping
Vaping has also come under the scrutiny of politicians, particularly due to concerns about its popularity among young people and nicotine addiction.
Last year, the government banned the sale of disposable vapes due to concerns about their use by young people and environmental harm.
The new legislation will further strengthen these rules: ministers will be empowered to regulate the flavors and packaging of tobacco, vaping, and nicotine products through secondary legislation.
About 10% of adults in the UK — approximately 5.5 million people — use vapes, according to the charity Action on Smoking and Health, and this figure has remained largely unchanged since 2024, indicating a slowdown in growth.
Approximately half of vape users are former smokers, while about 40% continue to smoke alongside using vapes, the organization notes.