UK moves to ban smoking for everyone born after 2008
The UK parliament passed a law to ban smoking for anyone born after 2008, raising the legal smoking age annually from 2027.Summary
The UK has passed the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, enacting a generational smoking ban for those born after 2008. Starting January 1, 2027, the legal smoking age will increase by one year annually, effectively preventing anyone born on or after January 1, 2009, from ever legally purchasing tobacco products. The law, which has cleared both houses of parliament and awaits royal assent from King Charles III, is modeled after a similar ban in the Maldives, though New Zealand previously implemented and then overturned such a law. Alongside the smoking ban, regulations on vaping will be tightened, including restrictions on advertising and sales to those under 18, and expanding smoke-free areas to include outdoor public spaces like playgrounds and school grounds. Retailers face penalties for violations, and the government will implement a registration system for tobacco and vaping products. Supporters hail the bill as a landmark public health intervention, while some retailers have voiced concerns about the financial impact and lack of government consultation.
(Source：Inquirer.net)
