Individuals Born In Or After 2009 Will Never Be Able To Legally Purchase Cigarettes.
Introduction
The United Kingdom has taken significant strides in its battle against smoking. The government’s goal is to create a “smoke-free generation” by reducing the number of smoking-related deaths. Let’s delve into the details of the UK smoking ban, how it works, and its potential impact.
What Is the Smoking Ban?
The UK smoking ban primarily targets the sale of cigarettes rather than the act of smoking itself. Here are the key points:
- Increasing Legal Age: Under the new law, the legal age for cigarette sales (currently 18) will increase by one year annually. This means that individuals born in or after 2009 will never be able to legally buy cigarettes.
- Cracking Down on Underage Sales: To combat underage sales, the government will impose £100 on-the-spot fines for shops in England and Wales that sell tobacco and vapes to underage individuals. Local authorities will reinvest the proceeds into enforcing the law.
- Availability in Duty-Free Shops: The ban will apply to all duty-free shops in the UK. However, travelers buying cigarettes abroad can still bring them back to the UK if legally acquired elsewhere.
- Enforcement and Black Market: The government plans to spend £30 million on enforcement, including tackling black market availability of cigarettes.
- Timeline: The new system aims to be in force by 2027, and the government intends to collaborate with Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland to introduce consistent legislation across the UK.
Why the Ban?
Smoking remains the number one preventable cause of death, disability, and ill health in the UK. Consider these alarming facts:
- Cigarettes release thousands of harmful chemicals, including carbon monoxide, lead, and ammonia.
- Up to 70 of these chemicals cause cancer.
- Smoking is linked to serious illnesses such as lung disease, heart disease, and strokes.
- It costs the NHS and the economy an estimated £17 billion annually.
Creating a smoke-free generation could prevent over 470,000 cases of heart disease, stroke, lung cancer, and other diseases by the end of the century.
Addressing Vaping
The Tobacco and Vapes Bill also aims to tackle vaping among young people who have never smoked. While vaping is less harmful than smoking, it is not risk-free. Health experts advise against vaping for non-smokers, as its long-term effects remain unclear.
The UK smoking ban represents a bold step toward a healthier future. By gradually phasing out tobacco sales, the nation aims to protect its citizens and reduce the burden of smoking-related diseases.