MPs to vote on flagship legislation intended to create ‘smokefree’ generation

MPS are set to vote on legislation today that is intended to create a “smokefree” generation.

If passed into law, the Tobacco and Vapes Bill would make it an offence to sell tobacco products to anybody born after January 1, 2009, children aged 15 and under today. Smoking would not be criminalised, and anybody already legally permitted to buy vapes and tobacco products will not be banned from doing so by the legislation.

Despite the devolution of health legislation, the Bill would apply to all four nations of the UK, meaning today’s vote in Parliament could bring the entire country closer to a “smokefree” generation.

Smoking is believed to be responsible for 80,000 deaths a year and is the UK’s single biggest preventable cause of death. The government estimates smoking costs the NHS and economy around £17bn a year, in comparison to the £10bn in annual revenue from tobacco taxation.

Health and Social Care Secretary, Victoria Atkins, said: “Too many people know someone whose life has been tragically cut short or irreversibly changed because of smoking, which despite significant progress remains the UK’s biggest preventable killer.

“The truth is that there is no safe level of tobacco consumption. It is uniquely harmful and that is why we are taking this important action today to protect the next generation.

“This Bill will save thousands of lives, ease the strain on our NHS, and improve the UK’s productivity.”

Dr Charmaine Griffiths, Chief Executive at the British Heart Foundation added: “Smoking continues to devastate the nation’s health, taking 15,000 UK lives every single year due to cardiovascular disease alone.

“Raising the age of sale for tobacco each year will be a game changer, meaning that future generations are protected from serious disease and death caused by smoking.”