The United Kingdom has just made history. The British Parliament has officially passed the Tobacco and Vapes Bill. The bill has cleared Parliament and is now heading to King Charles III for royal approval, which most experts believe is simply a formality. Once signed, this law will permanently change who can and cannot buy cigarettes in the United Kingdom.
What does the Tobacco and Vapes bill actually say?
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Under the new Tobacco and Vapes Bill, anyone born on or after January 1, 2009 will be permanently banned from ever buying cigarettes in the UK. Right now, the legal age to buy tobacco and vapes in the UK is 18. Under the new law, that age will go up by one year, every single year. So next year it becomes 19, the year after it becomes 20 and it will keep rising.
The Law also covers vapes and nicotine products
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The Tobacco and Vapes Bill goes beyond just cigarettes and regular tobacco products. The new law will also give the UK government the power to regulate vaping products, nicotine pouches, and other related items.
Why did the UK pass this law?
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According to UK health authorities, smoking causes around 80,000 deaths every year in Britain alone. It remains the number one preventable cause of death, disability, and poor health in the entire country.
What Health Experts are saying
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Health experts and government ministers have welcomed the new law with great enthusiasm. Wes Streeting, the UK’s Health Secretary, said: “Children in the UK will be part of the first smoke-free generation, protected from a lifetime of addiction and harm.”
How does the UK law compare to the rest of the world?
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The UK is not the first country to try something like this. Back in 2022, New Zealand passed a very similar law but it was later repealed by the next government that came to power.
