People born after 2008 in Britain will not get cigarettes, Britain passed the bill

The British Parliament has passed a historic bill, which has given a big relief to those fighting against smoking. This bill is called the Tobacco and Vapes Bill. Under this, people born after December 31, 2008 will never be able to buy cigarettes.

The bill will now go to King Charles III. The king’s approval is believed to be a mere formality and will soon become law. Hazel Cheesman, chief executive of the organization Action on Smoking and Health, said: ‘The end of smoking is no longer certain. It is determined that smoking and the terrible harm it causes will be eradicated. This organization had fought for decades for this law.

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What does the bill say?

• Currently the age for buying cigarettes and tobacco is 18.

• Next year it will increase to 19 years.

• It will be 20 years next year.

• Thus the age limit will increase every year.

This means that most of today’s youth will never be able to buy a cigarette in their entire lives. The bill also empowers the government to control the taste, packaging, etc. of tobacco, vape and nicotine products.

Britain has now joined the ranks of countries with the strictest anti-smoking laws in the world. New Zealand enacted a similar law in 2022 but later withdrew it when a new government came to power.

The state of smoking in the UK

The number of smokers in Britain has fallen by two-thirds since the 1970s. Yet about 6.4 million people (13% of the total population) still smoke. The government says around 80,000 people die each year from smoking. It is the number one preventable cause of death, disability and ill health in the country.

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Health Secretary Wes Streeting said: ‘UK children will now be part of the first smoke-free generation. They will avoid addiction and harm for life. This law is being considered as a big step in the direction of keeping future generations away from the habit of smoking.