A draft law in the UK to create a "smoke-free generation" by banning smoking for anybody born after 2008 has cleared both houses of parliament. Only the king's signature remains for it to become law.
  • Technically, the new law will raise the legal age requirement in the UK for buying cigarettes, cigars or tobacco, which is currently 18, by one year in every subsequent year, starting on January 1, 2027
  • This will effectively mean that people born on or after January 1, 2009 will never be eligible to buy them
  • Retailers will face financial penalties for selling the products to those not entitled to them
  • The government will also be empowered to impose a new registration system for smoking and vaping products entering the country, seeking to improve oversight
  • The bill will expand the UK’s indoor smoking ban to a series of outdoor public spaces, for instance in children’s playgrounds, outside schools and hospitals
  • Most indoor spaces that are designated smoke-free will become vape-free as well
  • Smoking in designated areas outside pubs and bars and other hospitality settings will remain permissible
  • Smoking and vaping will remain legal in people’s homes
  • Vaping will become illegal in cars if someone under the age of 18 is inside, to match existing rules on smoking
  • Advertising for smoking and vaping products will be banned
  • People aged 18 or older will remain eligible to purchase vaping products, but some items targeted at younger consumers like disposable vapes have already been outlawed as part of the program
  • m4xie@lemmy.caEnglish
    172·
    14 hours ago

    It seems a little arbitrary that they can deny rights to a voting tax-paying 27 year old that they give to a 28 year old.

    Can they ban Capricorns from riding motorcycles? It’s actually for their own good, those things are dangerous!

    • Bytemeister@lemmy.worldEnglish
      21·
      7 hours ago

      Well, the better overall solution would be to ban it entirely, but here is the rub…

      The addictive nature of these products is so strong that there is significant health risks to quitting them “cold turkey”.

      The alternative is mandated addiction rehab programs, and completely banning the sale, use and possession of tobacco and vape products outside of licensed rehab centers. So, even though it feels arbitrarily restrictive to ban that 27 year old, but not the 28 year old, overall it is much more permissive than the alternative.