In a landmark vote, British lawmakers have approved the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, setting the stage for some of the world’s toughest anti-smoking regulations. The bill, which now advances through parliament, aims to reduce the appeal of smoking and vaping, particularly among the youth, by introducing a series of strict measures.
The proposed legislation includes a significant step: a ban on cigarette purchases for anyone born in 2008 or later. This move would ensure that anyone aged 15 this year, or younger, would be permanently prohibited from buying tobacco products. Additionally, the bill seeks to curb the marketing of vaping, prohibiting vape ads, banning the sale of vapes in vending machines, and restricting the packaging and flavors that appeal to young people, such as bubble gum and cotton candy.
Labour Health Secretary Wes Streeting emphasized the urgency of the matter, noting, “The number of children vaping is growing at an alarming rate, and without immediate intervention, we risk creating a generation of long-term addicts.”
Despite broad support for the bill, some lawmakers have raised concerns, particularly around civil liberties. Conservative MP Robert Jenrick opposed the legislation, arguing that education should take precedence over bans and criticizing what he termed “the nanny state.”
The bill now moves to the committee stage in the House of Commons, followed by further readings and review in the House of Lords before receiving Royal Assent. If the bill passes, it may also empower the government to extend smoking bans to outdoor spaces such as playgrounds, schools, and hospitals, building on the UK’s history of strong anti-smoking laws that began in 2007 with the prohibition of smoking in enclosed public areas.