New law aims to create first ‘smoke-free generation’

A UK-WIDE law aimed at creating the first “smoke-free generation” was on Tuesday (5) introduced in parliament, as part of a world-leading ban.

The proposals come after New Zealand revoked plans to introduce a so-called “generational smoking ban” that would have stopped sales of tobacco to anyone born after 2008.

“This is a groundbreaking piece of public health legislation. It will mean that we are creating the first ever smoke-free generation in our country,” health secretary Wes Streeting said.

“So children growing up in our country today will never legally be able to buy cigarettes,” he added.

The tobacco and vapes bill will prevent anyone born after January 1, 2009 from legally smoking by gradually raising the age at which tobacco can be bought.

The legislation is similar to a bill proposed by the previous Conservative government, which was shelved earlier this year when then-prime minister Rishi Sunak called a general election.

Sunak’s successor Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour government, however, has revived the proposals, which are part of a drive to increase preventative health measures and ease long-term pressure on the NHS.

The bill will introduce restrictions on vape advertising and sponsorship, as well as restricting flavours, displays and the packaging of e-cigarettes to reduce their appeal to children and young people.

It also proposed a ban on the manufacture and sale of the oral tobacco snus, in line with European Union countries other than Sweden.

Last month, the government announced that disposable vapes will be banned next year under separate legislation. The new legislation also proposes extending existing smoking bans to outdoor spaces such as children’s playgrounds and outside hospitals.

But Streeting said there would be no ban on smoking in pub gardens in England. Pub and restaurant industry figures criticised the idea after it was leaked in August, arguing it could deter customers in a market already struggling with the long-term fallout from the pandemic and cost-of-living pressures.

“The UK hospitality sector has taken a battering in recent years, and we don’t want to add to their pressure so we’re not proposing to go ahead with an outdoor hospitality ban at this time,” he added.

England, Wales and Northern Ireland outlawed smoking in enclosed public places and workplaces in 2007.