Apr 23, Kathmandu - To protect future generations from the harms of smoking, the United Kingdom has enacted a historic bill that imposes a long-term ban on purchasing cigarettes. This legislation is hailed as a major milestone in public health efforts.

The law signals a decisive step toward gradually removing access to cigarettes for upcoming generations. Hazel Cheeseman, CEO of Action on Smoking and Health, praised the legislation, stating that after decades of anti-smoking campaigns, ending smoking is no longer a distant goal but an inevitable process. She called the measure a significant victory for public health safety.

Under the new bill, individuals born after December 31, 2008, will be barred from purchasing cigarettes for life. This policy removes the current age-based restriction and introduces a system of increasing the minimum age annually, ensuring that future adolescents will also be denied access to cigarettes.

The legislation requires formal approval from King Charles III before it can become law. Once enacted, the government will implement strict regulations on the taste, packaging, and distribution of tobacco, vaping, and nicotine products.

Currently, sales of cigarettes and tobacco products to those under 18 are prohibited. However, the new law aims to tighten restrictions further, steering the country toward a smoke-free future. As a result, the UK is emerging as one of the world's strictest nations in tobacco control.

Previously, New Zealand introduced similar legislation in 2022, but it was repealed by the subsequent government. The UK's move, however, is presented as a long-term policy commitment.

Statistics show that since the 1970s, the number of smokers in the UK has decreased by nearly two-thirds. Still, approximately 6.4 million people, or 13% of the population, continue to smoke. Government data estimates around 80,000 annual deaths are caused by smoking-related illnesses.

Health Minister Wes Streeting expressed confidence that the new law will create a ‘first smoke-free generation’ in Britain, protecting future generations from lifelong addiction and serious health risks.