The Tobacco and Vapes Bill, introduced on Tuesday [November 5, 2024] in Westminster, proposes a gradual ban on the sale of tobacco products. This means that anyone born on or after January 1, 2009, will never be legally allowed to purchase cigarettes.
No restrictions will be imposed on those who are already legally smoking.
The introduction of new legislation aimed at creating a “smoke-free generation” will lead to “groundbreaking changes” in public health, officials announced.
The law, which is expected to cover the entire UK, aims to eliminate smoking-related diseases and prevent nicotine addiction in future generations.
Statistics reveal that smoking contributes to the deaths of more than 2,000 people annually in Northern Ireland.
Northern Ireland Health Minister Mike Nesbitt welcomed the introduction of the bill, stressing that the proposed measures represent a tremendous opportunity for public health to reduce preventable death and disease, and that it is especially important in communities where widespread tobacco use is a major contributor to health risks.”
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“This law will limit the ability of e-cigarettes and other consumer nicotine products, such as nicotine sachets, to be promoted in ways that appeal to children. These measures will help prevent future generations from becoming addicted to nicotine.” […] “Ensuring that people do not become addicted to smoking or vaping, and supporting current smokers to quit, are the most effective actions we can take to protect the health of our population. The Seed Health Agency will work to reduce the number of smokers in Northern Ireland to create a ‘smoke-free generation’.”
The bill introduces restrictions on the advertising and sponsorship of e-cigarettes and bans certain flavors, displays, and packaging of these products to reduce their appeal to children and young people. It also allows for the expansion of smoke-free zones to include outdoor public spaces or workplaces and extends bans to vaping and heated tobacco use in these areas.
Will the UK be included in its entirety in the new law? That’s what we don’t know at this point.
