The United Kingdom has approved sweeping new legislation that will permanently bar anyone aged 17 or younger—and all future generations—from legally purchasing cigarettes. Under the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, the legal age for buying tobacco will rise by one year every year, starting with individuals born on or after January 1, 2009. The law, expected to receive royal assent next week, effectively creates a lifetime smoking ban for affected age groups, marking one of the strictest anti-smoking measures globally.
The legislation also introduces tighter regulations on vaping, including banning sales of nicotine products to under-18s and restricting advertising, promotions, and product displays. Ministers will gain additional powers to regulate flavours and packaging, building on earlier measures such as the ban on disposable vapes. The government aims to curb youth nicotine addiction and reduce long-term health risks, while easing the burden on the National Health Service.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting described the bill as a historic step toward improving public health. Smoking currently causes around 64,000 deaths and 400,000 hospital admissions annually in England, costing the NHS roughly £3 billion each year. Officials believe the reforms will save lives, cut healthcare costs, and move the country closer to becoming a smoke-free society.
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