It's official: The United Kingdom is banning the sale of tobacco to people born after 2009
The law will come into effect in April next year and aims to create the first smoke-free generation.
The law comes into effect next year.
From April 2025, it will become an offense in the United Kingdom to sell tobacco and vaporizers to anyone born after January 1, 2009 (ie, now 15 years old). The decision was approved by Parliament on Tuesday 16 April and aims to create the first smoke-free generation, announced the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Victoria Atkin.
He said the move “is not intended to demonize smokers or discourage the purchase of tobacco, nor does it in any way affect the rights or privileges of current smokers.” It means “giving the next generation the freedom to live longer, healthier, more productive lives.”
He added that implementing the law would help the economy “become more productive and create an NHS that delivers faster, simpler and fairer care”. “We will almost double funding for local smoking cessation services,” he added.
“We cannot replace one generation addicted to nicotine with another addicted to vaping, which damages young people's lungs while they are still growing, exacerbates long-term pressure on the NHS and affects their ability to concentrate at school. (…) This law, to crack down on flavors and packaging, in shops These machines will also provide powers to change the mode of display,” the government official concluded.
Those responsible for business regulations will be responsible for ensuring compliance with the new law, as they will be able to fine retailers who sell illegally. Funds raised from fines will be used to fund new law enforcement initiatives.
