New law will apply to anyone born on or after January 1, 2009, in bid to create a smoke-free generation.
The Tobacco and Vapes Bill has been agreed by both the House of Commons and House of Lords ad now awaits Royal Assent (a formality). Its measures take effect from January 1, 2027.
Photo by Possessed Photography / Unsplash
The headline measure is that it will be illegal to sell tobacco products, herbal smoking products or cigarette papers to anyone born on or after January 1, 2009. It will also be an offence to buy, or attempt to buy, these products on behalf of such a person.
In effect, anyone aged 18 or younger will be banned from smoking for life.
In addition, the new legislation introduces further restrictions on the advertising and sale of smoking products. Vending machines for such products will no longer be permitted, and cigarettes will have to be sold in their original packaging. There will also be a ban on the manufacture and/or sale of so-called snus – a pouch of powdered tobacco placed under the lip.
Vaping is to be banned in cars carrying children, in hospitals, in playgrounds and outside schools. But vaping will continue to be permitted outside hospitals, as part of efforts to support people trying to cut down and quit smoking.
There is no change to the law concerning other venues. Smoking and vaping will continue to be permitted in outdoor hospitality venues such as pub gardens.
A number of health organisations support the new legislation, including Action on Smoking and Health, Cancer Research UK and the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health. There’s evidence that the new measures are also supported by a majority of people in the UK. In August 2024, YouGov reported that 61% of UK adults surveyed were in favour of a ban for those born after January 1, 2009, compared to 27% against.
Baroness Merron, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Women’s Health and Mental Health, told the House of Lords on Monday: ‘This afternoon marks the end of this Bill’s journey throughout Parliament. It is a landmark Bill; it will create a smoke-free generation. It is, in fact, the biggest public health intervention in a generation and I can assure all noble Lords it will save lives.’
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