House of Lords vote to support landmark legislation to phase out the sale of tobacco to the next generation

Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) has welcomed today’s [Tuesday 24^th February] vote in the House of Lords supporting legislation to phase out the sale of tobacco to the next generation, describing it as a historic step towards ending the harm caused by smoking. Peers voted 78 in favour and 246 against an amendment to the Tobacco and Vapes Bill that would have removed the generational ban from the legislation and replaced it with an age of sale increase to 21 – something called for by tobacco companies who oppose the legislation. 

Peers voted decisively in favour of the generational sales ban, demonstrating strong cross-party backing for action to tackle the leading cause of preventable death in the UK. The front bench health spokespeople for all three major parties spoke and voted in favour of the generational ban. 

• Baroness Meron, speaking for the Government, acknowledged the role of the last Government and their ‘courageous’ move in originally bringing forward this legislation adding: “this government is committed to ending the cycle of addiction”.
• Earl Howe, health spokesman for the Conservatives, gave his backing to the legislation calling it a “golden opportunity to do something imaginative and radical” to end the profound harms from smoking.
• Baroness Lindsay Northover, from the Liberal Democrats, thanked Prof Javed Kahn, Prof Chris Whitty and Ex-Prime Minister Rishi Sunak for the part they have played in bringing the bill forward: "this bill is an excellent piece of legislation, far sighted and so potentially significant for our children and grandchildren".

The legislation will gradually raise the age of sale for tobacco so that children born after 1^st Jan 2009 will never be sold tobacco. The first people to be impacted by this legislation will turn 18 next year. 

The policy was originally brought forward by the previous Conservative government and has now been progressed by the current Labour government – a clear sign of the broad political consensus behind protecting future generations from addiction and disease.

This cross-party commitment reflects overwhelming public support for bold action to reduce smoking and prevent young people from becoming addicted to a product that kills two in three long-term users. Polling by YouGov for Action on Smoking and Health finds that 67% of British public back the generational ban (14% oppose) and 65% support a vision for a country where no one smokes (15% oppose). [1] By phasing out tobacco sales to the next generation, Parliament is taking a decisive step towards a smokefree UK.

Further polling by YouGov for ASH of the generation who will be impacted by the legislation also finds strong support. Overall, 69% 11-17 year olds back the generational ban including 60% of those who currently smoke and only 18% opposing. [2]

Hazel Cheeseman, Chief Executive of Action on Smoking and Health, said:

“Today’s vote sends a powerful message that protecting children’s health rises above party politics. We commend peers from across the House for backing this world-leading legislation.

“Smoking remains the biggest cause of preventable death and health inequality in our country. By phasing out tobacco sales to the next generation, the UK is showing global leadership and putting the health of young people first.

“The fact that this measure was introduced by a Conservative government and is now being delivered by a Labour government demonstrates the strength and depth of support for creating a smokefree future.”

ASH urges MPs and peers to continue working together to ensure the legislation is implemented effectively and backed by the funding and enforcement needed to make it a success.

Report stage continues with peers to debate other elements of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill. The final Bill is expected to:

• Introduce the generational ban on the sale of tobacco
• Provide powers to further regulate all tobacco and nicotine products including vapes and nicotine pouches
• Introduce further enforcement powers including a new retail licensing scheme, product registration systems and greater powers for trading standards such as fixed penalty notices.
• Extend existing smokefree powers to allow government to restrict smoking in some outdoor public settings and to restrict vaping and heated tobacco use in some public settings. The Government are currently consulting on these powers for England: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/smoke-free-heated-tobacco-free-and-vape-free-places-in-england/smoke-free-heated-tobacco-free-and-vape-free-places-in-england

The Government last week tabled amendments to give them powers to further restrict cigarette filters including their marketing but would also allow them to prohibit at a future date. The next date for Report is 3^rd March. 

ENDS

Contact: press@ash.org.uk

Notes to editors

ASH is a public health charity established by the Royal College of Physicians in 1971, funded by the British Heart Foundation and Cancer Research UK.

References

[1] ASH Smokefree Adult Survey 2025. Online GB survey of adults aged 18+ conducted 10th February to 10th March 2025 by YouGov on behalf of ASH. The figures have been weighted to be representative of all adults in Great Britain.

[2] ASH Smokefree GB youth survey data (age 11-17, sample size 2025=2,746, with 151 who smoke). Full survey covers ages 11-18. Surveys were conducted online using the YouGov panel and are sampled and weighted to be representative all GB youth.
Number of children based on the mid-year population estimates from the ONS (available here).