The UK Parliament has approved a law introducing a lifetime ban on purchasing cigarettes for those born after 1 January 2009. The restriction will apply regardless of whether they reach the age of majority.
WHAT THE NEW LAW CHANGES
According to data from the UK Parliament, the House of Commons and the House of Lords have agreed on the final version of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill. The document introduces a ban on selling tobacco products to anyone born after 1 January 2009.
This means that individuals covered by the law will not be able to legally buy cigarettes even as adults.
WHAT MEASURES HAVE BEEN INTRODUCED FOR VAPES
The law also tightens rules on the sale of e-cigarettes and nicotine-containing products. Selling such devices to individuals under the age of 18 is prohibited.
Additional restrictions are being introduced on advertising, product displays, discounts, and free distribution of products. These measures aim to reduce the availability and appeal of such items to young people.
WHY THE AUTHORITIES CONSIDER THE LAW IMPORTANT
Health Secretary Wes Streeting described the decision as historic and stated that the country will see the first smoke-free generation.
According to official estimates, smoking leads to approximately 64,000 deaths and 400,000 hospitalisations per year in the country. The cost of treating smoking-related illnesses is around £3 billion annually.
In 2024, the UK had already banned the sale of disposable e-cigarettes. The reasons were their popularity among teenagers and their harm to the environment.
CONTEXT
Global trends show an increasing move towards a complete ban on alternative smoking methods. For example, in Kazakhstan, a full legislative ban on the import, production, sale, and distribution of vapes, as well as liquids and flavourings for them, came into force on 20 June 2024.
Violating these rules in the republic carries criminal liability under Article 301-1 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan ("Trafficking in non-smoking tobacco products, electronic consumption systems (vapes), flavourings and liquids for them"). The maximum penalty for importing and producing vapes can be up to 5 years in prison, while selling and distributing them may result in fines of up to 200 MCI (Monthly Calculation Index) or arrest for up to 50 days.