Children aged 17 or younger will face a lifelong ban on buying cigarettes, as the Tobacco and Vapes Bill clears Parliament; the legislation aims to create a smoke-free generation by making it illegal for shops to sell tobacco to anyone born after 1 January 2009.

New Regulations for Tobacco and Vaping

Once the bill receives royal assent. Ministers will also have new powers to regulate tobacco, vaping, and nicotine products, including their flavors and packaging. This is part of a series of measures aimed at tackling the health effects of smoking, one of the UK’s leading causes of preventable death, disability, and ill health.

Vaping will be banned in cars carrying children, in playgrounds, and outside schools and hospitals, expanding existing smoke-free laws. However, vaping would still be allowed outside hospitals in an effort to support individuals trying to quit smoking.

Public Reaction and Concerns

Outdoor hospitality venues like pub gardens and wider open spaces such as beaches and private outdoor spaces are not included in the new plans. People will also be able to continue smoking and vaping in their homes.

Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Wes Streeting, called the move an historic moment for the nation’s health. He added, ‘Prevention is better than cure – this reform will save lives, ease pressure on the NHS, and build a healthier Britain.’

Health minister Baroness Merron told the Lords on Monday, ‘It is, in fact, the biggest public health intervention in a generation and I can assure all noble Lords it will save lives.’

Lord Naseby, a Conservative former MP, said the Tobacco and Vapes Bill ‘does upset a great many people in that industry,’ including retailers. He emphasized the need for better education on preventing smoking uptake. In response, Lady Merron assured Lord Naseby that they had worked closely with retailers and would continue to do so.

Support for the Legislation

Sarah Sleet from Asthma + Lung UK welcomed the legislation, saying it promised to transform the nation’s health. ‘Now that this first bill is finally over the line, we have a chance to go further to protect public health and hold the tobacco industry to account,’ she said.

Sleet urged the government to provide widespread smoking cessation support to ensure existing smokers are not left behind. ‘Right now we have a postcode lottery, which is why the tobacco industry should pay through a levy to reduce the harm they cause by funding these key services across the UK,’ she said.