British lawmakers have approved stricter regulations on smoking in the U.K., ensuring that individuals aged 17 and under, as well as those born in the future, will never be able to purchase cigarettes or vapes legally. The Tobacco and Vapes Bill, set to receive royal assent next week, prohibits individuals born after December 31, 2008, from buying cigarettes. Additionally, the law imposes tighter controls on vaping, including restricting the sale of vaping and nicotine products to individuals under 18 and regulating advertising, displays, free distribution, and discounts.
Hazel Cheeseman, chief executive of public health charity Action on Smoking and Health, expressed confidence in the legislation’s ability to end smoking and its harmful effects, following a long-standing advocacy campaign. While it is currently illegal to sell cigarettes, tobacco products, or vapes to individuals under 18 in the U.K., the minimum age for purchasing cigarettes increases annually, ensuring that most youths today will face a lifelong ban on purchasing cigarettes.
The U.K. government anticipates that these measures will reduce smoking rates, prevent youth nicotine addiction, and alleviate the strain on the National Health Service (NHS). Health Secretary Wes Streeting hailed the bill’s approval as a historic milestone for public health in the country, emphasizing the protection of children from lifelong addiction and harm. The government believes that prevention is preferable to treatment, with the reform expected to save lives, reduce NHS pressure, and foster a healthier nation.
This legislation positions the U.K. among the world’s leaders in anti-smoking measures. The country’s smoking rate has declined significantly since the 1970s, with approximately 6.4 million people, or 13% of the population, still smoking. Smoking-related illnesses account for around 80,000 deaths annually in the U.K., making smoking the primary preventable cause of death, disability, and poor health.
In addition to smoking, vaping has garnered attention from British policymakers due to concerns about youth uptake and nicotine addiction. Last year, the government prohibited the sale of single-use or disposable vapes to address these concerns. The new legislation grants ministers the authority to regulate the flavors and packaging of tobacco, vaping, and nicotine products through secondary legislation. Approximately 10% of adults in Great Britain, an estimated 5.5 million people, use vapes, with usage levels stabilizing since 2024, indicating a plateau in growth. Action on Smoking and Health notes that half of vapers are former smokers, while 40% concurrently smoke and vape.