The UK Parliament has passed a bill banning the sale of tobacco and electronic cigarettes (vapes) to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009. It is expected to come into force next week after receiving the assent of King Charles III, making the UK the second country after Mauritius to enact a final generation (GEG) tobacco product use bill.
New Zealand and Malaysia had previously wanted to introduce GEG for individuals born after 2025 but were later abandoned due to pressure from tax cuts and lobbying by tobacco companies. In the UK, this comprehensive ban on tobacco products was carried out to reduce the public health burden and the cost of tobacco-related treatment.
The cost of treating tobacco-related diseases reaches £3 billion to the NHS, causing 64,000 deaths and 400,000 hospital admissions each year. In addition to the tobacco product ban, the bill strengthens the ban on smoking in public places to children's playgrounds, areas outside schools and outside hospitals.
Stricter controls on vaping and nicotine products will be introduced as well as a ban on branding, promotion and advertising targeting children.
