uk government / tobacco and vapes bill / smoking ban

The UK government’s Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which bans the sale of tobacco to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009, has cleared parliament and is expected to become law after royal assent next week. The legislation, introduced on 5 November 2024, completed its passage on Tuesday when the House of Lords approved amendments made by MPs. Ministers say the measure is designed to create a “smoke-free generation” by phasing out tobacco sales over time and reducing addiction. The policy is framed as a public health and cost-saving move: smoking is linked to about 400,000 hospital admissions and 64,000 deaths annually in England, costs the NHS around £3bn a year, and is estimated to impose £21.3bn–£27.6bn in wider societal costs.

The UK government’s Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which bans the sale of tobacco to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009, has cleared parliament and is expected to become law next week after royal assent. The legislation completed its passage on Tuesday when the House of Lords approved amendments made by MPs, concluding a process that began with its introduction on 5 November 2024. Ministers say the measure is designed to create a “smoke-free generation” by phasing out tobacco sales over time and reducing addiction. Smoking is linked to about 400,000 hospital admissions and 64,000 deaths annually in England, and costs the NHS around £3bn a year. Wider societal costs are estimated at £21.3bn–£27.6bn annually.

The UK Parliament has agreed the final draft of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, creating a lifelong ban on buying cigarettes for anyone born after 1 January 2009. The legislation, cleared by both the House of Commons and House of Lords on 21 April 2026, will make it illegal for retailers to sell tobacco to that cohort once it receives royal assent. Ministers will also gain new powers to regulate tobacco, vaping and nicotine products, including flavours and packaging. The bill expands smoke-free rules by banning vaping in cars carrying children, in playgrounds, outside schools and at hospitals, while still allowing vaping outside hospitals to support quitting. Homes, pub gardens, beaches and private outdoor spaces are excluded. Health Secretary Wes Streeting said it will reduce preventable illness and NHS pressure.

The UK Parliament has agreed the final text of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, creating a “smoke-free generation” by permanently banning cigarette sales to anyone born after 1 January 2009. The measure means today’s 17-year-olds and younger will never be able to legally buy tobacco once the bill receives royal assent. The legislation also gives ministers new powers to regulate tobacco, vaping and nicotine products, including flavours and packaging. It expands smoke-free rules by banning vaping in cars carrying children, in playgrounds, outside schools and at hospitals, while still allowing vaping outside hospitals to support quitting. Pub gardens, beaches and private outdoor spaces are excluded, and smoking and vaping remain allowed at home. Health Secretary Wes Streeting and Baroness Merron backed the bill; retailers and industry raised concerns.