Government moves ahead with plans to create a smokefree generation

We’ve urged MPs to strongly support a bold new Bill that would prevent the next generation from ever smoking. 

The Government has today recommitted to raising the age of sale of tobacco products by one year every year in England and Wales in a response to a public consultation on the plans. 

The proposed legislation would mean that those born on or after 1 January 2009 would never be able to legally buy a cigarette or any other kind of tobacco product across England and Wales.

New powers will be introduced to restrict vape flavours which are specifically marketed at children and ensure that manufacturers produce plainer and less visually appealing packaging. The powers will also allow government to change how vapes are displayed in shops, so they are not promoted in a way that appeals to children. 

The UK Government, Scotland and Wales also announced today that disposable vapes will be banned across the UK in a bid to protect children’s health.

We support these ambitious plans, which will help the Government achieve its ambition to make England a Smokefree nation by 2030 and ensure that children who have never smoked are not tempted to take up vaping.

Quitting smoking is the single best thing you can do for your heart, with around 13,000 deaths from heart and circulatory diseases attributable to smoking each year in England and Wales.

Tough measures needed

Dr Charmaine Griffiths, our Chief Executive, said: “When we have known for many decades that smoking kills, it is utterly unacceptable that smoking continues to take so many lives, causing at least 15,000 deaths from cardiovascular disease every year across the UK.

“On top of this, smoking is a significant driver of health inequalities, disproportionately affecting the health of the poorest in society. 

“Tough measures are needed to put a stop to this ongoing heartbreak, and we welcome the UK Government’s bold proposal to create a smoke-free generation by raising the age of sale for tobacco every year. 

“It’s right that the Government is taking action to make vaping less appealing. Children and people who have never smoked should never start vaping, which is why we need effective measures that make it harder for young people to buy vapes in the first place.

"There is clear public support for this Bill and we now urge every MP to support this once-in-a-generation legislation when it is brought to the UK Parliament. We hope to see this policy adopted by administrations across the UK.”

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