Both chambers of the UK parliament have approved legislation that will prevent anyone aged 17 and under from ever legally purchasing cigarettes, marking a significant shift in public health policy.
The proposed law, known as the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, targets individuals born on or after January 1, 2009, effectively ensuring that future generations are permanently barred from buying tobacco products.
UK Health Secretary, Wes Streeting, described the development as a landmark step in tackling smoking-related harm.
He said the move represents a “historic moment for the nation’s health” and would help deliver the “first smoke-free generation, protected from a lifetime of addiction and harm”.
Once it receives royal assent, the legislation will empower the government to widen existing smoking restrictions, including extending indoor bans to certain outdoor locations such as playgrounds and areas near schools and hospitals.
The bill also introduces tighter controls on vaping products, including potential limits on flavours and packaging, as well as restrictions on their use in spaces where smoking is already prohibited.
The measure forms part of a broader strategy to prioritise preventive healthcare and reduce long-term strain on the National Health Service.
Hazel Cheeseman, director of the public health charity Action on Smoking and Health, welcomed the development, calling it a “decisive turning point for public health”.
The legislation builds on earlier efforts by the Labour government, including a ban on disposable vapes introduced last year, aimed at curbing their appeal among young people due to their low cost and colourful designs.
Internationally, similar policies have seen mixed outcomes.
New Zealand became the first nation to enact such a generational smoking ban in 2022, although it was later repealed in 2023 following a change in government.
Meanwhile, Maldives implemented a comparable restriction in November last year, targeting those born after January 1, 2007.
Health data shows the scale of the issue in England, where smoking was linked to approximately 75,000 deaths annually in 2024 and accounted for about a quarter of all cancer-related deaths, according to NHS figures.
