UK Bans Sale of Cigarettes for Life to Anyone Born After 2009

The UK government has passed landmark legislation banning the sale of cigarettes to anyone born after January 1, 2009. The Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which passed its first hurdle in Parliament, will gradually increase the legal age for buying cigarettes by one year each year, effectively prohibiting the next generation of adults from ever legally purchasing tobacco products.

Under the new law, which is expected to come into force by 2027, people born in or after 2009 will never be able to legally buy cigarettes in the UK. The move aims to protect future generations from the dangers of smoking, which remains the country's single biggest preventable killer, responsible for around 80,000 deaths annually. Four in five smokers start before the age of 20.

The bill also introduces new penalties for retailers who sell tobacco and vapes to underage customers, including £100 on-the-spot fines. It allows the government to restrict flavors of vapes and regulate their sale and packaging to make them less appealing to children. Additionally, the legislation includes a ban on the sale of disposable vapes in England, set to take effect in April 2025.

Public health experts have welcomed the move, stating that it will help create the UK's first-ever smokefree generation and save lives. "The government has announced a ban on the sale of disposable vapes in England, which is set to take effect in April 2025," said a spokesperson for Action on Smoking & Health.

However, the legislation has faced some opposition, including from within Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's own Conservative Party. Critics argue that the ban is overly paternalistic and could lead to the creation of a black market for cigarettes. The Tobacco Manufacturers' Association claims the law will fuel the illicit trade in tobacco and lead to further retail crime.

Despite the opposition, the Tobacco and Vapes Bill is expected to become law, with the Labour Party, which is poised to form the next government, supporting the measure. The government has committed £30 million to enforce the new law and tackle black market sales. While 51% of retailers support the generational ban according to a survey by Action on Smoking & Health, the shopworkers' union Usdaw has expressed concerns about the potential impact on the safety of retail staff tasked with enforcing the age restrictions.

Key Takeaways

• UK bans cigarette sales to those born after 2009, creating first smokefree generation.
• New law introduces penalties for retailers selling tobacco/vapes to underage customers.
• Legislation allows gov't to restrict vape flavors and regulate their sale and packaging.
• UK's tobacco ban sets a global precedent, potentially inspiring other countries to follow.
• While welcomed by experts, the law faces some opposition over concerns of black market.