The Tobacco and Vapes Bill

The Bill will:

• Make it illegal to sell tobacco products to children born on or after 1 January 2009, to prevent the next generation from becoming addicted to tobacco.
• Give the government powers to stop vapes and other consumer nicotine products (such as nicotine pouches) from being deliberately branded and advertised to appeal to children.
• The Bill is also expected to give the government powers to extend the ban on smoking in public places to some outdoor spaces and introduce vape-free areas. A further consultation will determine exactly how these powers will be implemented.
  

8 million lives have been lost to smoking since 1971. Together, we can end this epidemic and prevent our loved ones suffering from smoking-related diseases.

Key links and resources:

• Answers to frequently asked questions about raising the age of sale
• ASH briefing on the Bill, endorsed by leading health organisations

On this page

1. How will the smokefree generation policy work?
2. Why do we need to tackle smoking?
3. Public support for the legislation
4. What about the tobacco industry?
5. What can I do to help create a smokefree generation?
6. Further links and resources

How will the smokefree generation policy work?

1. Starting in 2027, the legal age for tobacco sales will increase by one year every year, ensuring that individuals born on or after January 1, 2009, will never legally be able to buy tobacco.
2. The law will make it illegal to sell tobacco to anyone who falls under the age of sale. It will not criminalise underage purchase, possession or use of tobacco, so no one will ever be penalised for smoking.
3. The government estimates that by raising the age of sale each year, up to 1.7 million fewer people will be smoking by 2075. This could prevent 115,000 cases of serious illness (e.g., stroke, heart disease, lung cancer) and save billions in health and care costs.

Why do we need to tackle smoking?

Smoking is number one preventable cause of death, disability and ill health and is responsible for 80,000 deaths a year in the UK, and 1-in-4 of all cancer related deaths. No other consumer product kills up to two-thirds of its users.

Smoking puts huge pressure on the NHS, with almost one hospital admission every minute attributable to smoking and up to 75,000 GP appointments each month due to smoking-related illness.

The direct cost of smoking to the UK public finances in 2023 was £21.9bn. This mainly consists of lost economic productivity and NHS and social care costs. This is more than double the £8.4 billion the treasury raised through tobacco tax revenues. This means less money left over for vital public services.

Public support for the legislation

Raising the age of sale to create a smokefree generation is supported by 69% of people in GB, with just 12% opposed. The policy has broad cross-party support with 70% of those who voted Conservative in 2019, 74% who voted Labour, and 75% of those who voted Lib Dem. A majority (52%) of smokers also support raising the age of sale, more than double the proportion (24%) opposed.

• See public support for raising the age of sale in your constituency (GB only).

What about the tobacco industry?

The tobacco industry is doing everything it can to block this legislation, which makes it even more crucial for us to demonstrate to MPs the strong public support for a smokefree generation. Tobacco companies are leveraging their extensive resources – holding events, funding ads and petitions, and lobbying MPs – to spread misinformation and mislead the public. We've already seen industry-funded front groups and think tanks campaigning vigorously against the proposed age of sale policy, and we can expect their efforts to intensify as the legislation progresses through Parliament.

• You can check an organisation’s links to the tobacco industry through this database.
• Learn more about how tobacco companies have worked to block tobacco endgame policies in the UK and worldwide.
  

What can I do to help create a smokefree generation?

• Writing to your MP: Find your MP here, and copy in enquiries@ash.org.uk. ASH has a template to help you draft your message.
• Signing the Cancer Research UK petition urging the government to pass and implement the Tobacco and Vapes Bill.

Further links and resources

• ASH response to the consultation on ‘creating a smokefree generation and tackling youth vaping’
• Cancer Research UK Smokefree UK webpage
• 'Stopping the start' command paper, which sets out the rationale and impact for key measures in the Bill
• Article by the Chief Medical Officer: Protecting children, families and vulnerable from tobacco harms