Under the tobacco and vapes bill approved by the UK parliament on 21/4, anyone born on or after 1/1/2009 will be permanently barred from legally purchasing tobacco products nationwide. This initiative aims to save lives and alleviate the burden on the National Health Service (NHS).
The bill is set to become law after receiving royal assent from King Charles III next week. Ministers anticipate this measure will gradually phase out tobacco product sales entirely, breaking the cycle of addiction and its associated societal consequences.
In the UK, smoking accounts for approximately 400,000 hospital admissions and 64,000 deaths annually. It also costs the NHS around 3 billion GBP (4 billion USD) each year to treat related illnesses such as cancer and cardiovascular disease. The total societal cost is estimated at 21.3-27.6 billion GBP (28.7-37.2 billion USD) annually, primarily due to lost productivity.
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A person smokes outdoors at a pub in Soho, London, UK in 2024. Photo: Reuters
"This is a historic moment for national health," said Health Minister Wes Streeting. "Children in the UK will be part of the first smoke-free generation, protected from addiction and health harms. Prevention is better than cure. This reform will save many lives, reduce pressure on the NHS, and build a healthier UK."
The new law also grants ministers additional powers to tighten public smoking bans, extending them to children's playgrounds and areas outside schools and hospitals.
"Over the past half century, tobacco has claimed millions of lives in the UK, leaving a tragic and preventable legacy. Ending its harm is a lasting gift to future generations. Families everywhere can now be confident their children will grow up unaffected by tobacco," stated Hazel Cheeseman, chief executive of an organization advocating against tobacco harm and for public health.
The bill also prohibits the branding, promotion, and advertising of e-cigarettes and nicotine products targeting children, aiming to prevent the risk of nicotine addiction.
Huyen Le (According to Guardian, BBC)
