UK Parliament Legislates to Create Smoke-Free Generation, Banning Cigarette Purchases for Those 17 and Under for Life
The UK Parliament has passed a bill prohibiting individuals born on or after January 1, 2009, currently 17 and under, from ever buying cigarettes.
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- 📰 Published: April 23, 2026 at 10:55
- 🔍 Collected: April 23, 2026 at 11:01 (6 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 23, 2026 at 12:04 (1h 2m after Collected)
Central News Agency (CNA)
(CNA, London, 22nd, Composite Foreign Report) Both the House of Commons and the House of Lords of the UK Parliament have passed a bill that will ban current 17-year-olds and younger teenagers from purchasing cigarettes for the rest of their lives.
Agence France-Presse (AFP) reports that the "Tobacco and Vapes Bill" aims to stop anyone born on or after January 1, 2009 (currently 17 years old) from smoking.
UK Health Secretary Wes Streeting called the move a "historic moment for national health" and stated that this will bring about "the first smoke-free generation, free from lifelong addiction and harm."
Once the bill receives Royal Assent and officially becomes law, the UK government will have the power to extend indoor smoking bans to outdoor spaces, such as children's playgrounds, and areas surrounding schools and hospitals.
In addition, the UK government will gain new powers to restrict the flavors and packaging of e-cigarettes and completely ban their use in places where smoking is already prohibited.
This bill is part of strengthened preventive healthcare measures aimed at relieving the long-term pressure on the state-funded National Health Service (NHS).
Hazel Cheeseman, head of public affairs at the public health charity "Action on Smoking and Health" (ASH), said the bill is a "crucial turning point for public health."
The UK Labour government introduced measures in June last year to ban the sale of disposable e-cigarettes, which are cheap, brightly packaged, and highly popular among young people.
In 2022, New Zealand became the first country in the world to implement a similar anti-smoking policy, banning the sale of cigarettes to anyone born after 2008. However, the newly elected conservative coalition government repealed the law in November 2023, less than a year before its implementation.
In November 2025, the Maldives also passed regulations banning the sale of cigarettes to anyone born after January 1, 2007.
According to NHS data, around 75,000 people die each year in England from smoking-related diseases, accounting for about one-quarter of all deaths. (Translated by: Hsu Jui-cheng) 1150423
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(CNA, London, 22nd, Composite Foreign Report) Both the House of Commons and the House of Lords of the UK Parliament have passed a bill that will ban current 17-year-olds and younger teenagers from purchasing cigarettes for the rest of their lives.
Agence France-Presse (AFP) reports that the "Tobacco and Vapes Bill" aims to stop anyone born on or after January 1, 2009 (currently 17 years old) from smoking.
UK Health Secretary Wes Streeting called the move a "historic moment for national health" and stated that this will bring about "the first smoke-free generation, free from lifelong addiction and harm."
Once the bill receives Royal Assent and officially becomes law, the UK government will have the power to extend indoor smoking bans to outdoor spaces, such as children's playgrounds, and areas surrounding schools and hospitals.
In addition, the UK government will gain new powers to restrict the flavors and packaging of e-cigarettes and completely ban their use in places where smoking is already prohibited.
This bill is part of strengthened preventive healthcare measures aimed at relieving the long-term pressure on the state-funded National Health Service (NHS).
Hazel Cheeseman, head of public affairs at the public health charity "Action on Smoking and Health" (ASH), said the bill is a "crucial turning point for public health."
The UK Labour government introduced measures in June last year to ban the sale of disposable e-cigarettes, which are cheap, brightly packaged, and highly popular among young people.
In 2022, New Zealand became the first country in the world to implement a similar anti-smoking policy, banning the sale of cigarettes to anyone born after 2008. However, the newly elected conservative coalition government repealed the law in November 2023, less than a year before its implementation.
In November 2025, the Maldives also passed regulations banning the sale of cigarettes to anyone born after January 1, 2007.
According to NHS data, around 75,000 people die each year in England from smoking-related diseases, accounting for about one-quarter of all deaths. (Translated by: Hsu Jui-cheng) 1150423
Choose to stand with facts; every sponsorship from you is the power to protect press freedom.
Download the CNA "First Hand News" APP to grasp the latest news instantly.
The text, images, and audio-visuals on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, publicly transmitted, or utilized without authorization.