UK approves total smoking ban for people born after 2008

Nokusa Masuku

The UK Parliament has approved legislation that will prohibit the sale of tobacco products to anyone born on or after January first, 2009, creating what the government describes as the first “smoke-free generation”.

The measure awaits royal assent from King Charles III before becoming law. Once enacted, the core age-of-sale restrictions are due to take effect on January 1, 2027.

The legislation does not ban smoking or possession outright. Instead, it makes it an offence for retailers to sell a wide range of tobacco products. This includes cigarettes, cigars and rolling tobacco, to anyone born on or after January 1, 2009.

The legal age of sale for tobacco will rise by one year each year from 2027, ensuring that this cohort will never reach a legal purchasing age.

Those born before the chosen date will continue to be able to buy tobacco products at the current legal age of 18, provided they can prove their eligibility.

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