First smoke-free generation: UK to pass bill to ban smoking for under-18s

The UK is about to create its first “smoke-free generation" by announcing a smoking and vape ban for under-18.

After the Government announced its intentions in 2024, the House of Commons and Lords have now agreed on a final draft of the legislation that will ban anyone born after 2008 from buying cigarettes.

The Tobacco and Vapes Bill will stop anyone born after 1 January 2009 (that’s any child aged 17 and younger) from purchasing tobacco-related products, and is now awaiting Royal Assent before it becomes law.

Why UK is banning smoking?

Smoking substantially increases the risk of major health conditions—like strokes, diabetes, heart disease, stillbirth, dementia and asthma.

As reported smoking is responsible for around 80,000 deaths a year in the UK which puts a huge amount of pressure on the NHS, costing taxpayers up to £3.1 billion a year, and takes up to 75,000 GP appointments each month, or over 100 every hour.

Key elements from smoking & vape bill:

The Bill will  hand new powers to the Government to regulate tobacco, vaping and nicotine products,which includes flavours and packaging and will also make provision about smoke-free places.

Notably, the UK will join Maldives as the only other country in the world with a generational tobacco ban, which has already stopped young people born after 2006 from smoking.