Children currently aged 17 and under will be permanently prohibited from purchasing cigarettes under new legislation that has passed through Parliament. The Tobacco and Vapes Bill, described as a landmark measure, will make it illegal to sell tobacco to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009, with the aim of creating a smoke-free generation.
With both the Commons and the Lords agreeing on the final version, the bill now awaits royal assent. Once enacted, it will also grant ministers broader authority to regulate tobacco, vaping, and nicotine products, including controls over flavours and packaging.
The legislation forms part of a wider effort to address the serious health impacts of smoking, which remains one of the UK’s leading causes of preventable illness, disability, and death.
New restrictions will also extend to vaping. It will be banned in cars carrying children, as well as in playgrounds, near schools, and at hospitals—expanding existing smoke-free regulations. However, vaping will still be permitted in certain outdoor areas of hospitals to support individuals trying to quit smoking.
The rules will not apply to outdoor hospitality venues such as pub gardens, nor to open public spaces like beaches or private outdoor areas. People will still be allowed to smoke or vape inside their own homes.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting described the bill as a historic step forward for public health, emphasizing that prevention is key to reducing strain on the NHS and improving national wellbeing. Health Minister Baroness Merron echoed this sentiment, calling it the most significant public health intervention in a generation and stating it would save lives.
Some concerns have been raised, particularly from within the retail sector. Lord Naseby noted that the bill could negatively affect businesses and argued that greater emphasis should be placed on educating people not to start smoking. In response, Baroness Merron said the government has worked closely with retailers and will continue to do so.
Sarah Sleet of Asthma + Lung UK welcomed the legislation, saying it has the potential to significantly improve public health. However, she stressed the importance of providing strong support for those who already smoke, warning against leaving them behind. She also called for a levy on the tobacco industry to fund cessation services nationwide and address current inequalities in support across different regions.
