The Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which will cover all four UK nations and will see all young people born on or after January 1, 2009, unable to purchase any tobacco products, will be introduced to parliament today (5).
The world-leading Bill will include measures to create a smokefree generation, phasing-out the sale of tobacco products across the UK to anyone aged 15 or younger this year, breaking the cycle of addiction and disadvantage.
In addition, the government will be given powers to extend the indoor smoking ban to specific outdoor spaces: with children’s playgrounds, outside schools and hospitals all being considered, subject to consultation. However, the government abandoned plans for a ban on smoking outside pubs and cafes after concerns were raised about the impact on the hospitality industry.
"Unless we act to help people stay healthy, the rising tide of ill-health in our society threatens to overwhelm and bankrupt our NHS," the health minister Wes Streeting said in a statement. "This historic legislation will save thousands of lives."
This sits alongside a ban in the Bill on vape advertising and sponsorship, as well as powers to restrict the flavours, display and packaging of all types of vapes, as well as other nicotine products. The new UK Bill will give enforcement agencies, including Trading Standards Wales, additional powers to issue Fixed Penalty Notices for illegal sales of tobacco and vapes and other consumer nicotine products.
Proposals include restrictions to the advertising of vaping and nicotine products; banning vape vending machines and measures to reduce the appeal and availability of vapes by addressing vape flavours, packaging and where they can be displayed in shops to move them out of sight of children.
Disposable vapes are also due to be banned from 1 June 2025 under separate environmental legislation.
The previous Conservative government had announced similar measures to create the first smoke-free generation. However, those plans failed to become law before the general election in the summer when the party lost power. The new legislation ensures anyone aged 15 this year, or younger, will be banned from buying cigarettes, and aims to make vapes less appealing to children.
The government said smoking causes about 80,000 deaths a year and costs the economy 21.8 billion pounds a year in lost productivity and health and care costs - far outweighing tax receipts. Britain banned smoking in almost all enclosed public spaces, including bars and workplaces, in 2007.
Cancer Research UK said this led to an estimated 1.9 million fewer smokers, and research in the British Medical Journal estimated there were 1,200 fewer hospital admissions for heart attacks the following year.
