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The UK parliament has approved legislation that would effectively prevent people born after 1st January 2009 from ever legally purchasing cigarettes, marking a significant expansion of tobacco control policy.
The Tobacco and Vapes Bill aims to create a so-called “smoke-free generation” by gradually raising the legal age of cigarette sales until it applies permanently to anyone born after the cutoff date.
In practice, this means individuals currently aged 17 and under would be barred from buying tobacco products for life.
Reform UK has pledged to repeal the ban if it wins power at the next election.
The bill also grants the government additional powers over smoking regulations.
These include extending indoor smoking bans to outdoor areas such as playgrounds and spaces outside schools and hospitals, as well as introducing further restrictions on vape products, including flavours, packaging, and usage in areas where smoking is already prohibited.
