The UK is on the cusp of a historic shift towards a healthier future, amid plans to introduce radical smoking ban laws. The aim of this legislation is to eliminate smoking among the younger generation and establish the UK as a pioneer in progressive public health policy.
Smoking Ban Law Debate
Announced last year by Conservative Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, this bold bill will make it illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone born after 1 January 2009. An audacious step, and one that has been met with a mixture of support and criticism, reflecting the complexity and controversy inherent in such an innovative policy.
At the heart of the legislation is the aim to create the 'first smoke-free generation' of modern Britain. According to the Tobacco and Vaping Bill, children who turn 15 this year or younger will never be able to be legally sold tobacco.
This means that the legal age for selling cigarettes will be raised year-on-year until it becomes illegal for the whole population.
Since the 1970s, smoking in the UK has fallen by roughly two-thirds, yet, some 6.4 million people - around 13% of the population - continue to smoke, according to official figures.
This policy will be implemented in phases to ensure that anyone currently allowed to buy cigarettes will not be prevented from doing so in the future.
The government has made it clear that smoking will not be criminalised, but the law will gradually make it harder for younger generations to take up the habit.
All duty-free outlets in the UK will be subject to the revised bill. However, anyone who buys cigarettes outside the country can import them into the UK, on condition that they have been bought legally in other regions.
In addition to the focus on tobacco, the bill includes measures to restrict vaping, such as banning the sale of cheap disposable vapes and limiting their flavours.
Opposition and Criticism
If the Bill is supported by the opposition Labour Party and is expected to pass, it has not failed to attract criticism. Members of the more liberal Conservative Party have described the proposals as "unconservative". In their view, a total ban risks being counter-productive and creating a black market for tobacco products.
The final vote in the Lords is due by mid-June, following the third reading of the Bill. This Tuesday is the first chance for Members of Parliament to debate and vote on the Bill. Later in April, amendments can be tabled in committee, then voted on in May before MPs vote on the third reading of the bill.
The UK's plan appears to be inspired by similar policies proposed by New Zealand under former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. However, New Zealand's new coalition government repealed the bill this year. This remains to be seen how the UK legislation will stand up to internal and external scrutiny.
It is worth noting that smoking remains a major public health problem in the UK. According to official figures, smoking is estimated to cause around 80,000 deaths a year in the UK.