The proposed Tobacco and Vapes Bill would gradually phase out tobacco sales to people born after January 1, 2009. Photo credit: Cottonbro Studio, Pexels.
The UK moved closer to adopting one of the world’s most far-reaching tobacco control laws after the House of Lords approved the Tobacco and Vapes Bill at its third reading, pushing the legislation toward its final parliamentary stages.
If the measure becomes law, shopkeepers would not be allowed to sell cigarettes, tobacco products, herbal smoking products, or cigarette papers to people born after January 1, 2009. Officials say the approach would phase out tobacco use over time while allowing adults who can legally purchase tobacco today to continue doing so.
The legislation also includes a range of measures targeting youth vaping. It would give ministers new powers to regulate flavors, ingredients, packaging, and marketing of vaping and nicotine products in order to reduce their appeal to children.
Under the bill, authorities could expand smoke-free areas and introduce tighter controls on how nicotine products appear in stores and advertising. The government also plans stricter enforcement against underage access, including penalties for adults who purchase tobacco products on behalf of minors.
The proposal represents a centerpiece of the government’s public-health strategy and ranks among the most ambitious anti-smoking policies introduced by a major economy. Officials say the legislation seeks to ensure that children who are currently teenagers or younger never become regular smokers.
The measure originated under former prime minister Rishi Sunak, whose government first introduced the generational smoking ban proposal in 2024. Lawmakers later revived the plan and continued the legislative process under the current government.
Parliament has already debated several attempts to modify the proposal. In one vote, peers rejected an amendment that would have replaced the generational ban with a simpler increase in the legal smoking age to 21.
With the House of Lords now backing the bill, lawmakers will complete the remaining legislative steps before the measure can become law. If enacted, the ban could begin in 2027.