A man holding a cigarette in his hand.
The world’s first smoking ban that would stop young people from buying cigarettes legally has passed its first legislative hurdle in the UK
Legislators in the country’s Lower House they voted 415 to 47 in favor of the bill this week.
Government ministers and health campaigners have widely praised the plans, while some lawmakers have criticized their impact on civil liberties.
How would a smoking ban work?
The Tobacco and Vapes Bill would ban the sale of tobacco products, herbal smoking products and rolling papers to those born from 2009 onwards. This means that if it passes, most of today’s 15-year-olds will never be allowed to buy these goods.
It is currently illegal to sell tobacco products to under-18s in the UK
The bill would introduce some further restrictions to try to reduce vaping rates, including a ban on vaping ads and the sale of vaping in vending machines. It would prevent the sale of certain vaping flavors and limit how stores can display them.
It would also completely ban the sale of oral tobacco products such as snus.
The proposals still have to go through further scrutiny in the lower and upper houses of parliament before they can become law.
Why do lawmakers want a smoking ban?
The proposals are part of a government plan to create a “smoke-free generation” where less than 5% of adults smoke.
The bill, first proposed by former prime minister Rishi Sunak’s government, has been reintroduced by the current ruling Labor Party.
Around 11.9% of adults in the UK currently smoke, with rates among young people rising after years of falling.
Smoking is closely linked to many serious health conditions, including lung cancer, heart disease and stroke. Estimated to cost England public health system nearly $3.3 billion (£2.6 billion) a year alone.
Although vaping is considered much safer than smoking, its popularity among children and young people is a serious concern for lawmakers, campaigners and public health officials.
“The number of children vaping is increasing at an alarming rate and without urgent intervention, we will have a generation of children with long-term addiction,” said UK Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting. statement.
“It is unacceptable that these harmful products are deliberately targeting children with bold packaging and flavors such as ‘gummy bear’ and ‘rainbow burst’.
Stephen Powis, who leads medicine in England’s public health system, the NHS, added: “Smoking also remains the leading cause of preventable death and has a huge impact on the NHS, costing billions every year, and we look forward to working with government and partners to ensure the next generation grows up smoke and vaping free.”
Some lawmakers attacked the bill, however, with shadow health secretary Edward Argar criticizing a section that would have given ministers the power to introduce smoking bans in certain outdoor areas.
Rival Lib Dem health spokeswoman Helen Morgan said her party supported the plan to reduce vaping among young people, but raised concerns about “civil liberties” and the “practicality” of a phase-out of smoking.
