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The British government is set to introduce a groundbreaking bill in parliament on Wednesday aimed at fulfilling its commitment to phase out smoking among young people by prohibiting tobacco sales for future generations.
The proposed Tobacco and Vapes Bill, touted as one of the world’s most stringent anti-tobacco laws, seeks to ban the sale of tobacco to individuals who will turn 15 years old this year or younger, effectively preventing them from legally purchasing tobacco products.
While the bill does not criminalize smoking itself, it aims to prevent the next generation from becoming regular smokers, targeting the root cause of preventable health issues associated with tobacco use.
Conservative Prime Minister Rishi Sunak emphasized the urgency of addressing smoking-related health risks, stating, “If we want to build a better future for our children, we need to tackle the single biggest entirely preventable cause of ill-health, disability, and death: smoking.”
However, the proposed legislation has faced criticism, with some labeling it as “unconservative.” Former Prime Minister Liz Truss and other members of the governing party have expressed opposition to the bill.
Despite internal dissent, the bill is expected to pass with support from the opposition Labour Party, which has signaled its backing for the measure.
The move follows the repeal of a similar law in New Zealand last month, which aimed to prohibit tobacco sales to individuals born after Jan. 1, 2009. The decision by the country’s new coalition government to roll back the legislation underscores the challenges in implementing such measures globally.
The British government estimates that smoking costs its National Health Service and economy a staggering £17 billion ($21.63 billion) annually, further highlighting the imperative for robust tobacco control measures.
In response to the growing use of vaping among non-smokers and youth, the proposed bill also includes provisions to regulate the display of vape products in shops, restrict flavored vapes and packaging targeted at children, and combat the rising trend of youth vaping.
The introduction of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill marks a significant step in the UK’s efforts to safeguard the health and well-being of future generations and reduce the burden of tobacco-related diseases on society.
