The UK Labour government is reintroducing a groundbreaking bill that aims to create a smoke-free generation by gradually raising the legal smoking age. Here’s the full story.
Death by a Thousand Puffs
It is an unfortunate fact of life that many of the things that make life a little more enjoyable are invariably terrible for you. As such, alcohol, fatty foods and cigarettes are in the category of substances which will endeavour to kill you in several horrific ways eventually.
Major Health Legislation
Due to this unfortunate but inescapable fact, the UK is on the verge of implementing one of the most significant public health legislations in the country’s recent history. The newly elected Labour government, under Prime Minister Keir Starmer, has confirmed that it will reintroduce the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, initially proposed by former Conservative Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
Gradual Age Increase
The bill, which had garnered cross-party support, would gradually increase the legal age for purchasing tobacco, ultimately making it illegal for anyone born on or after January 1, 2009, to buy cigarettes. Despite gaining significant support, the bill was dropped following the general election being called before it could be passed into law.
Call for Action
Over 1,400 healthcare professionals and public health experts had signed an open letter urging the new Labour government to revive the bill. However, not everyone is happy with the proposed changes to the law.
Labour Prioritises Health
In the recent King’s Speech, Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed that the Labour government would uphold the Tobacco and Vapes Bill as a legislative priority. The bill is seen as a crucial step towards achieving the government’s public health objectives, including reducing smoking-related illnesses and deaths.
Current Smoking Laws
Currently, the legal age for purchasing cigarettes and other tobacco products in the UK is 18, a regulation implemented by the Labour government in 2007. Smoking is prohibited in all enclosed public spaces, including pubs, restaurants, nightclubs, and workplaces.
Vaping Regulations
Vaping laws are less stringent; while one must be 18 or older to buy and use vapes, there are no nationwide restrictions on vaping in public areas, though individual establishments may impose their own bans.
New Zealand-Style Approach
The Tobacco and Vapes Bill proposes a New Zealand-style approach, with the legal smoking age increasing by one year every year. This means that by 2027, individuals currently aged 14 and under will never be able to legally purchase cigarettes.
Curbing Vape Marketing
The bill also includes measures to curb the sale and marketing of vapes, particularly those appealing to children, such as flavours like bubble gum and candy floss. Additionally, the bill seeks to regulate the packaging and display of tobacco products to prevent them from attracting young people.
Smoke-Free by 2030?
The UK government had set an ambitious target to make England smoke-free by 2030, which means that only 5% of the population is smoking. However, a review by Dr Javed Khan in 2022 warned that this target would be missed by at least seven years without further action.
Economic Burden of Smoking
The review highlighted the significant economic burden of smoking, estimated at £17 billion annually, including £2.4 billion in healthcare costs. Dr. Khan’s report supported the incremental age increase as necessary to meet the smoke-free goal.
Reducing Cancer Deaths
Former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, when introducing the bill, projected that stricter smoking regulations could reduce cancer deaths by a quarter and alleviate long-term pressure on the National Health Service (NHS).
NHS Financial Strain
The financial strain of smoking-related illnesses on the NHS is substantial, making preventive measures not only a health priority but also an economic necessity. The Labour government has echoed this sentiment, emphasising prevention is more effective and cost-efficient than treatment.
Opposition From Smokers
While public health advocates have widely supported the proposed smoking ban, it has faced opposition from smokers’ rights groups. The tobacco company-funded lobbying group Freedom Organisation for the Right to Enjoy Smoking Tobacco spokesperson stated, “Increasing the age of sale of cigarettes won’t stop people smoking. It will simply drive more people to the black market and could make smoking cool again.”
Turning Point for Health
Despite pushback from the tobacco lobby, the reintroduction of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill by the Labour government is a significant turning point in the way the government tackles public health emergencies, with the ultimate and admirable goal of protecting future generations from the harms of tobacco.
Future of Escapism
However, with the modern world being so unremittingly bleak, it remains to be seen if this legislation will indeed curb the nation’s more harmful escapism or if it will only lead to other coping mechanisms becoming more popular once it’s no longer possible to light up and get away from it all for a few minutes.
Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / Stefano Carnevali.