Britain’s parliament has passed new legislation designed to stop future generations from taking up smoking, in a move aimed at strengthening public health and reducing long-term pressure on the National Health Service (NHS).
The Tobacco and Vapes Bill, approved by both chambers, would permanently ban the sale of cigarettes to anyone born after January 1, 2009 — meaning children aged 17 and under today would never legally be able to buy tobacco products.
Health Minister Wes Streeting described the decision as a “historic moment for the nation’s health,” saying it marks the beginning of the UK’s first smoke-free generation, protected from addiction and the long-term harm caused by smoking.
Once the bill receives royal assent and becomes law, it will also allow the government to expand smoking restrictions into certain outdoor spaces, including children’s playgrounds and areas near schools and hospitals.
The legislation further targets vaping by giving authorities stronger powers to regulate vape flavours and packaging, as well as ban vaping in locations where smoking is already prohibited.
Public health advocates have welcomed the move. Hazel Cheeseman, director of Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), called the bill a “decisive turning point” for the country’s health policy.
The bill follows earlier government action against vaping, including a ban introduced last June on disposable vapes, which have become widely popular among young people due to their low cost and colourful designs.
Similar laws have been introduced internationally. New Zealand passed a comparable measure in 2022, banning cigarette sales to those born after 2008, but the policy was later repealed in 2023 after a change in government. The Maldives also enacted a generational cigarette ban last year, applying it to anyone born after January 1, 2007.
According to NHS data, smoking in England in 2024 contributed to around 75,000 deaths annually and was linked to roughly a quarter of all cancer-related deaths.
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