British lawmakers have passed stringent restrictions 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. This legislation also imposes stricter controls on vaping, including banning the sale of vaping and nicotine products to those under 18 and limiting advertising, displays, free distribution, and discounts.
Hazel Cheeseman, the chief executive of public health charity Action on Smoking and Health, expressed confidence in the end of smoking and its harmful effects, stating that it is now inevitable after years of advocacy for the new law. Selling cigarettes, tobacco products, or vapes to individuals under 18 is already illegal in the U.K., but with the minimum age for purchasing cigarettes increasing annually, most young people today will face a lifetime ban on buying cigarettes.
The U.K. government believes that these measures will help reduce smoking rates, prevent youth nicotine addiction, and alleviate long-term strain on the National Health Service (NHS). Health Secretary Wes Streeting hailed the bill’s approval as a historic milestone for the nation’s health, emphasizing that it will pave the way for children in the U.K. to be part of the first smoke-free generation, shielding them from the risks of addiction and harm.
This move positions the U.K. among the countries with the strictest anti-smoking laws globally, akin to a law passed by New Zealand lawmakers in 2022, subsequently repealed by a later government. While smoking rates in Britain have significantly declined since the 1970s, approximately 6.4 million people, constituting around 13% of the population, still smoke, according to official statistics.
In addition to smoking, vaping has garnered attention from British policymakers, particularly regarding concerns about youth adoption and nicotine dependency. Last year, the government banned the sale of single-use or disposable vapes due to worries about youth consumption and environmental impact. The new legislation will further enhance regulations, granting ministers the authority to oversee the flavors and packaging of tobacco, vaping, and nicotine products through secondary legislation.
Notably, about 10% of adults in Great Britain, an estimated 5.5 million individuals, use vapes, with levels remaining relatively stable since 2024, indicating a plateau in growth. Action on Smoking and Health reports that half of vapers are former smokers, while approximately 40% continue to smoke alongside vaping.