Under the new law, all people born on or after January 1, 2009 in the United Kingdom will never be able to legally purchase tobacco in their lifetime.
afp | The British government welcomed the passage of a law by Parliament that bans the sale of cigarettes to all citizens born after 2008. Health Secretary Wes Streeting stated on Tuesday that it is a “historic moment.” For the first time, a “smoke-free generation” would be spared a life of addiction and health harms. Both chambers of Parliament had agreed on the final version of the law on Monday.
The MPs had approved the bill at the end of March in its final reading with 366 to 41 votes. It now still needs the assent of King Charles III, which is considered a formality.
According to the new law, all those born on or after January 1, 2009 will never be able to legally obtain tobacco in the country. Several media reports say that Britain – after the Maldives – is the second country in the world to impose a tobacco ban for entire generations. The Maldives had banned the sale of tobacco products to all young people born on or after January 1, 2007 in November.
Smoking Bans in Outdoor Areas
The new law in Britain also provides for a ban on smoking in certain outdoor areas, including children’s playgrounds or the surroundings of schools and hospitals. Hazel Cheeseman, head of the organization Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), described the enactment of the law as a “decisive turning point” and a “lasting gift for future generations.”
The Labour Party had previously banned the sale of disposable e-cigarettes popular among young people. The ban has been in effect since June 1, 2025. Smoking in the United Kingdom is responsible for the deaths of about 80,000 people each year and for one in four cancer deaths.
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