UK: Individuals born in 2009 or later are prohibited from purchasing tobacco products

A majority of the UK House of Commons (383 for, 67 against) supported Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s plan to prohibit the sale of tobacco products to individuals born after 2009, effectively ensuring its enactment into law, as reported by the BBC.

Sunak has been striving for a year to enact the measure, among the strictest anti-smoking laws globally. However, he is encountering resistance within his party, with 106 Tories abstaining from voting on the stringent anti-smoking measures and 57 voting against them. Conversely, the plan has garnered broad support from opposition MPs (Labour).

The number of smokers in the UK has declined by two-thirds since the 1970s, with approximately 6.4 million people (13% of the population) being active smokers today.

According to a YouGov poll, one-third of UK citizens support a gradual ban on smoking, while 30% advocate for an immediate ban. Only one-fourth of respondents call for no ban at all. Tobacco companies like Dunhill British American Tobacco oppose the ban, asserting it will lead to an increase in tobacco smuggling. Meanwhile, the share price of L&B Imperial Brands has declined since the announcement of these measures.

To foster smoke-free generations, restrictive measures will be enforced on the sale of vapes in addition to the ban on the sale of tobacco products to individuals who will turn 15 this year and to those younger. These measures may include limitations on the variety of flavors to curb their usage among young people. Notably, the new coalition government repealed a similar law in South Zealand before it could take effect this year.