New law incrementally raises legal smoking age, aims for a complete ban by 2027, tackles vaping among youth

The UK Parliament has passed a groundbreaking smoking ban aimed at creating a “smoke-free generation” and significantly reducing smoking-related deaths. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s government received backing for plans that will gradually increase the legal age for buying cigarettes. This new approach, inspired by similar policies in New Zealand, represents a bold step toward public health improvement.

The smoking ban specifically targets cigarette sales rather than the act of smoking itself. Starting in 2027, the legal age for purchasing cigarettes will increase by one year annually. This means that individuals born in or after 2009 will never be able to legally buy cigarettes. Those who currently meet the legal age of 18 or older will not be affected by this change.

To enforce the new regulations, the government plans to impose £100 on-the-spot fines for shops in England and Wales that sell tobacco products to underage customers. This is in addition to the existing £2,500 fines that courts can levy. The proceeds from these fines will be reinvested into local law enforcement efforts. The government has allocated £30 million to tackle the availability of black market cigarettes and ensure compliance with the new law.

The restrictions will also apply to duty-free shops across the UK. However, individuals who legally purchase cigarettes abroad can still bring them back into the country. Prime Minister Sunak aims to collaborate with the governments of Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland to introduce similar legislation nationwide.

Health experts highlight the severe consequences of smoking, which releases thousands of harmful chemicals, including carbon monoxide, lead, and ammonia. Smoking is a leading cause of cancer, heart disease, lung disease, and stroke. The government reports that smoking causes approximately 80,000 deaths annually in the UK and costs the NHS and the economy an estimated £17 billion each year. By creating a smoke-free generation, the government predicts it could prevent over 470,000 cases of serious diseases by the end of the century.

In addition to addressing smoking, the Tobacco and Vapes Bill aims to curb vaping among young people. While vaping is less harmful than smoking, it is not without risks. Health professionals agree that non-smokers, especially young people, should avoid vaping. Concerns about the long-term effects of vaping on young people’s health prompted the government to take action.

The government plans to ban disposable vapes in England by April 2025 and hopes to extend this ban across the UK. Further restrictions will apply to the contents, flavours, and packaging of nicotine vapes to make them less appealing to children. Additionally, a new tax on vaping products will be introduced in October 2026. The sale of vaping alternatives like nicotine pouches to minors will also be prohibited.

Smoking rates in the UK have reached a historic low, with 12.9% of adults smoking in 2022. The highest smoking rates are among those aged 25-34, while the lowest are among individuals aged 65 and older. Despite a decline in smoking among older teens, the popularity of vaping has surged, particularly with disposable vapes.

The rising cost of smoking has motivated many to quit. A pack of 20 king-size cigarettes now costs over £15, with £6.33 of that being tax. Health concerns and financial pressures are primary reasons why people attempt to quit smoking.

Other countries have implemented similar anti-smoking measures. New Zealand’s policy, which inspired the UK’s approach, aimed to ban cigarette sales to anyone born after 2008, although it was recently scrapped to fund tax cuts. Mexico has some of the strictest anti-smoking laws globally, and Portugal aims for a smoke-free generation by 2040. Canada seeks to reduce tobacco use to below 5% by 2035 and has mandated health warnings on individual cigarettes.

The UK’s new smoking ban represents a significant effort to reduce smoking-related health issues and create a healthier future generation. By gradually raising the legal age for cigarette sales and implementing stringent regulations on vaping, the government aims to safeguard public health and diminish the burden of smoking on society.