British lawmakers have passed new legislation in the UK that will prevent individuals aged 17 and under, as well as those born after December 31, 2008, from legally purchasing cigarettes. The Tobacco and Vapes Bill, set to receive royal assent next week, imposes stricter restrictions on smoking and vaping. The law prohibits the sale of vaping and nicotine products to individuals under 18, while also limiting advertising, displays, free distribution, and discounts.
Hazel Cheeseman, the chief executive of public health charity Action on Smoking and Health, expressed confidence in the legislation, stating that the eradication of smoking and its harmful effects is now inevitable after years of advocacy.
The UK already prohibits the sale of cigarettes, tobacco products, and vapes to individuals under 18. With the minimum age to purchase cigarettes increasing annually, most young people in the country will face a lifelong ban on buying cigarettes.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting hailed the new measures as a significant step towards reducing smoking rates and preventing nicotine addiction among young people. He emphasized the importance of prevention in saving lives, alleviating pressure on the National Health Service (NHS), and promoting a healthier population.
The UK now boasts some of the strictest anti-smoking regulations globally, akin to a law passed in New Zealand in 2022. Despite a significant decline in smoking rates over the years, approximately 6.4 million people in the UK, constituting 13% of the population, still smoke. Smoking-related illnesses claim around 80,000 lives annually in the UK and remain a leading cause of preventable death, disability, and ill health.
In addition to curbing smoking, the UK government is also focusing on regulating vaping, particularly due to concerns regarding youth adoption and nicotine dependency. Regulations on vaping flavors and packaging will be strengthened through the new legislation, granting authorities more control over tobacco, vaping, and nicotine products.
Research by Action on Smoking and Health indicates that about 10% of adults in Great Britain, approximately 5.5 million individuals, use vapes. The charity notes that vaping rates have stabilized since 2024, with half of vapers being former smokers and 40% concurrently smoking and vaping.