Bill: the first smoke-free country

The fight against tobacco consumption has reached a new level. The law aimed at gradually transforming the United Kingdom into a smoke-free country passed a first stage in parliament this week, where it was adopted by MPs with an overwhelming majority. During this first parliamentary vote, 415 MPs voted in favor of moving the bill to the next stage of the legislative process, while 47 MPs voted against. Under the bill, people born after 2009 will never be able to legally buy cigarettes. They will be "the first smoke-free generation in our country," said British Health Secretary Wes Streeting.

Tobacco "is particularly addictive and extremely harmful," the minister said, adding: "There is no freedom in addiction." The Labour government, which came to power in July, has thus resumed a proposal that was presented by the Conservatives in April. But the calling of a legislative election in early July has stopped the examination of the law in parliament. Other countries, before the United Kingdom, have tried to implement a smoking ban on the younger generations. In 2022, New Zealand banned the sale of cigarettes to anyone born after 2008, but when they came to power in late 2023, the Conservatives abandoned the measure. London wants to ban smoking in outdoor areas, such as children's play areas, as well as near schools and hospitals. The draft legislation provides for a ban on advertising for electronic cigarettes and the imposition of restrictions on their flavors and packaging. The Labour Party already announced at the end of October that disposable electronic cigarettes, in bright colors and with appetizing flavors, very popular with young people, will be banned from sale starting from June 1, 2025.