In a historic move, the UK government is set to introduce legislation preventing children who turn 14 or younger this year from legally purchasing cigarettes in England. The proposed law aims to raise the smoking age by a year annually until it encompasses the entire population, with the potential to create a smoke-free generation by 2040.

This groundbreaking initiative responds to the highly addictive nature of smoking, with 4 in 5 smokers initiating the habit before the age of 20. By preventing young people from ever starting to smoke, the government aims to shield an entire generation from the health risks associated with smoking.

Smoking, the largest preventable cause of death in the UK, is responsible for 1 in 4 cancer deaths and 64,000 deaths annually in England. The economic burden is substantial, costing £17 billion each year through lost earnings, unemployment, and healthcare expenses.

The proposed changes represent a significant public health intervention, with an estimated impact of saving hundreds of thousands of lives and potentially boosting the economy by up to £85 billion by 2075. The move is expected to result in up to 1.7 million fewer smokers by 2075, alleviating the strain on the health and care system.

While smoking will not be criminalised, the government plans to enforce the new legislation by strengthening enforcement activities with a £30 million investment. Agencies such as local trading standards, HMRC, and Border Force will take action to prevent underage sales and tackle the import of illicit tobacco and vaping products.

In addition to addressing smoking, the government announced a crackdown on youth vaping. Plans include consulting on measures to reduce the appeal and availability of vapes to children, such as restricting flavours, regulating point-of-sale displays, and packaging presentation. This initiative responds to the concerning rise in youth vaping, which has tripled in the last three years.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak emphasised the government’s commitment to building a healthier future, stating, “I want to stamp out smoking for good. These changes will mean our kids will never be able to buy a cigarette, preventing them from getting hooked and protecting their health.”