Lawmakers vote to phase out smoking

Tobacco Journal International • 27. November 2024

British lawmakers have voted in favour of a world-leading ban that aims to gradually phase out smoking by preventing young people from ever being able to buy cigarettes, reports AFP.

The Tobacco and Vapes Bill aims at phasing out smoking completely and would prevent anyone born after 1 January 2009 from ever legally smoking by gradually raising the age at which tobacco can be bought. 415 MPs voted in favour of sending the bill through to the next stage of the legislative process, 47 MPs voted against it.



The UK legislation is similar to a bill proposed by the Rishi Sunak’s Conservative administration, which was shelved earlier this year before the snap general election. Keir Starmer’s new Labour government has now revived the proposals, which are part of a drive to ramp up preventative health measures and ease long-term pressure on the UK’s state-funded National Health Service (NHS), reports AFP.


The bill will introduce restrictions on vape advertising and sponsorship and will also restrict flavours, displays and packaging of e-cigarettes to reduce their appeal to young people. The proposal also includes a ban on the manufacture and sale of the oral tobacco snus, according to AFP. Meanwhile separate legislation will ban disposable e-cigarettes from next year.


“The Tobacco and Vapes Bill provides the protection that children and young people need to avoid a life imprisoned by addiction,” said health minister Wes Streeting.

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