Both chambers of the UK parliament have approved landmark legislation that would prevent anyone currently aged 17 or under from ever legally buying cigarettes, in a move aimed at creating a smoke-free generation.
The proposed law, known as the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, would ban the sale of tobacco products to individuals born on or after January 1, 2009, effectively phasing out smoking among future generations.
UK Health Secretary Wes Streeting described the development as a “historic moment for the nation’s health” that would lead to the “first smoke-free generation, protected from a lifetime of addiction and harm”.
Once the bill receives royal assent and becomes law, it will also grant the government powers to extend indoor smoking restrictions to certain outdoor areas, including children’s playgrounds and spaces outside schools and hospitals.
The legislation further proposes tighter controls on vaping products, including restrictions on flavours and packaging, as well as extending bans on vaping to places where smoking is already prohibited.
The bill forms part of a broader strategy to prioritise preventative healthcare and reduce long-term pressure on the National Health Service. Hazel Cheeseman, director of public health charity Action on Smoking and Health, said the legislation marked a “decisive turning point for public health”.
The Labour government had already introduced measures targeting youth vaping, including a ban on the sale of disposable vapes announced last year, citing concerns over their popularity among young people due to low cost and colourful packaging.
The UK’s approach follows similar efforts internationally. New Zealand became the first nation to pass a generational smoking ban in 2022, though the policy was repealed in November 2023 by a new government. The Maldives introduced a comparable ban in November last year, applying to those born after January 1, 2007.
According to NHS data, smoking in England was responsible for around 75,000 deaths annually in 2024 and accounted for approximately a quarter of all cancer-related deaths, underlining the scale of the public health challenge the legislation seeks to address.
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