A bill banning people born after 2008 from buying tobacco in the U.K. has completed its passage through parliament, marking a major step in the government’s effort to create a «smoke-free generation,» The Guardian reported.
Under the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, anyone born on or after Jan. 1, 2009 will never be legally sold tobacco products. The legislation is expected to become law next week after receiving royal assent, following its introduction in November 2024 and final approval by the House of Lords after amendments from the House of Commons.
Ministers say the policy aims to phase out tobacco sales over time, reduce addiction, and ease pressure on the National Health Service. Smoking is linked to around 400,000 hospital admissions and 64,000 deaths annually in England, with treatment costs estimated at $4 billion and wider societal costs reaching up to $37.2 billion a year.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting described the bill as a «historic moment» for public health, saying it would protect future generations from the harms of smoking and reduce long-term health pressures.
The legislation also gives ministers the authority to expand restrictions on smoking in public places, including playgrounds and areas outside schools and hospitals. In addition, it introduces measures to limit the branding, promotion and advertising of vapes and nicotine products aimed at children.
