Tobacco ban: British Parliament passes legislation for “smoke-free generation” | EUROtoday

The British authorities has welcomed the passage of a legislation by Parliament banning the sale of cigarettes to all residents born later than 2008. Health Minister Wes Streeting mentioned on Tuesday it was a “historic moment”. For the primary time, a “smoke-free generation will be protected from a life of addiction and health problems”. Both chambers of Parliament agreed on the ultimate model of the legislation on Monday.

The MPs accepted the invoice in its remaining studying on the finish of March with 366 votes to 41. Now King Charles III nonetheless has to. agree, which is taken into account a formality.

Under the brand new legislation, anybody born within the nation after January 1, 2009 won’t ever be allowed to legally buy tobacco. According to a number of media studies, the UK is the second nation on the earth – after the Maldives – to impose a generational tobacco ban. In November, the Maldives banned the sale of tobacco merchandise to all younger individuals born after January 1, 2007.

The new legislation within the UK additionally features a ban on smoking in sure out of doors areas, together with kids’s playgrounds and round colleges and hospitals. The legislation additionally restricts using e-cigarettes.

Hazel Cheeseman, head of the group Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), described the legislation’s passage as a “crucial turning point” and “a lasting gift for future generations.”

The Labor Party had beforehand banned the sale of disposable e-cigarettes, that are fashionable with younger individuals. The ban has been in impact since June 1, 2025.

Smoking is answerable for the deaths of round 80,000 individuals a 12 months within the UK and one in 4 deaths from most cancers.