UK PM Sunak plans to create "smoke-free generation" with tough measures on tobacco

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is pushing for a significant crackdown on smoking in the UK, with MPs voting to support the government's initiative to establish a "smoke-free generation" and reduce smoking-related deaths.

The proposed measures primarily target the sale of cigarettes, rather than the act of smoking itself. Under the new law, the legal age for purchasing cigarettes, currently set at 18, will increase by one year annually. This means that individuals born in or after 2009 will never be legally permitted to buy cigarettes, effectively enforcing a ban on them, Caliber.Az writes, citing BBC.

To curb underage sales, the government plans to introduce £100 on-the-spot fines for retailers in England and Wales found selling tobacco and vapes to minors. These fines will complement existing penalties of up to £2,500 imposed by courts. Additionally, the government pledges to invest £30 million in enforcement efforts, including tackling the black market for cigarettes.

The legislation will extend to all duty-free shops in the UK, but individuals will still be allowed to bring legally acquired cigarettes from abroad. The government aims to implement these measures by 2027 and collaborate with the devolved administrations of Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland to enact the legislation nationwide.

Smoking remains a significant public health concern, with cigarettes releasing harmful chemicals and being linked to various illnesses, including cancer, lung disease, and heart disease. It is the leading preventable cause of death, disability, and ill health in the UK, resulting in approximately 80,000 deaths annually and costing the NHS and economy an estimated £17 billion each year.

The government estimates that creating a "smoke-free generation" could prevent over 470,000 cases of tobacco-related diseases by the end of the century. Moreover, the Tobacco and Vapes Bill aims to address vaping among non-smoking youth, with plans to ban disposable vapes by April 2025 and introduce restrictions on nicotine vapes' contents, flavours, and packaging.

While smoking rates have declined overall in the UK, particularly among younger age groups, vaping has become increasingly popular among adolescents. The government's efforts align with global trends, with countries like New Zealand, Mexico, Portugal, and Canada implementing or considering similar measures to reduce tobacco use and promote public health.