A bill banning anyone born after 2008 from buying tobacco in the UK has completed its progress through parliament in a move that ministers hope will create a “smoke-free generation”.
Under the tobacco and vapes bill anyone born on or after 1 January 2009 will never be able to be legally sold tobacco across the UK, in an effort to save lives and reduce the burden on the NHS.
The bill will become legislation when it receives royal assent next week. Its long journey through both houses of parliament began when it was introduced on 5 November 2024 and ended on Tuesday, when the House of Lords approved amendments made by MPs in House of Commons.
Ministers hope it will end the sale of tobacco products altogether over time and break the cycle of addiction and the disadvantages associated with tobacco.
Smoking leads to 400,000 hospital admissions and 64,000 deaths a year in England alone and costs the NHS £3bn in treatments for tobacco-related illnesses such as cancer and heart disease. It is estimated to involve total costs to society of between £21.3bn and £27.6bn a year in England, mainly through lost productivity.
“This is a historic moment for the nation’s health as the tobacco and vapes bill ends its journey through parliament,” said Wes Streeting, the health secretary.
“Children in the UK will be part of the first smoke-free generation, protected from a lifetime of addiction and harm.
“Prevention is better than cure. This reform will save lives, ease pressure on the NHS, and build a healthier Britain.”
The legislation will also give ministers the power to strengthen the existing ban on smoking in public places. It will now be extended to children’s playgrounds and outside schools and hospitals.
“This is a decisive turning point for public health. The end of smoking, and the devastating harm it causes, is no longer uncertain – it’s inevitable. And the focus now is on how soon we get there,” said Hazel Cheeseman, the chief executive of Action on Smoking and Health.
“Over the past half-century, smoking has claimed millions of lives across the UK, leaving a legacy of preventable pain and loss. Ending its harm is a lasting gift to generations ahead and families everywhere can now feel secure that their children can grow up free from the harm of tobacco.”
Sarah Sleet, the chief executive of Asthma and Lung UK, said: “This landmark piece of legislation will transform the nation’s health. A smoke-free future means the tobacco industry will no longer be able to wreak havoc on the lungs of the next generation.”
The move will also ban vapes and nicotine products from being branded, promoted and advertised to children, so that they do not become addicted to nicotine.
However, some vaping firms said the legislation could encourage ex-smokers who now vaped instead to start using tobacco again.
“Overly restrictive measures, particularly on flavours and product availability, could unintentionally drive former smokers back to tobacco or into unregulated markets,” said Richard Begg, from VPZ The Vaping Specialist.
Mark Oates, the founder of We Vape, said: “It is vital the government protects vape flavours, which remain the single most effective incentive for adult smokers to make the switch to a less harmful alternative.”
