UK Government Announces Bold Plan to Phase Out Cigarette Sales to Young People
Four out of five smokers start smoking before the age of 20.
The UK government has introduced a groundbreaking law to safeguard the health of future generations with an aim to create a "smokefree generation" by incrementally raising the legal age for buying cigarettes in England. The age will increase by one year each year, commencing with those born on or after January 1, 2009. Therefore, anyone who is turning 14 or younger this year will never be able to purchase tobacco.
This ambitious measure, endorsed by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, has the potential to gradually eradicate smoking among young people and could potentially eliminate smoking in this demographic by as early as 2040. By preventing young people from ever starting to smoke, the government aims to shield an entire generation from the devastating health consequences associated with smoking as they mature. Sunak emphasised the importance of protecting young people from the deadly habit, saying, "No parent ever wants their child to start smoking. It is a deadly habit – killing tens of thousands of people and costing our NHS billions each year, while also being hugely detrimental to our productivity as a country."
The government's approach to reducing nicotine addiction is also set to target the surge in teenage vaping. Measures include restricting vape flavours that appeal to children, regulating displays located near tills, and ensuring vape packaging and products are not targeted at young people. Disposable vapes, which have been linked to increased youth vaping and environmental damage will face restrictions, and loopholes allowing children to access free samples and non-nicotine vapes will be closed.
Smoking is the UK's leading preventable cause of death, responsible for approximately one in four cancer-related fatalities and resulting in around 64,000 deaths each year in England alone. This habit places a significant burden on the National Health Service (NHS) and the economy. Health and Social Care Secretary Steve Barclay underscored the impact of smoking on the NHS, the economy, and public health, stating, "Smoking kills, places a huge burden on the NHS, and costs the economy billions every year."
Despite the challenges, the number of smokers in the UK has decreased by two-thirds since 1974, when smoking was at its peak. The government's latest move signals a determined effort to further reduce smoking rates and ultimately create a healthier, smokefree society.
