Rishi Sunak's UK smoking ban explained and who will be affected by law change

07 November 2023 , 16:37

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New laws will raise the legal smoking age by a year every 12 months

Rishi Sunak's smoking ban will see the age when people can legally buy cigarettes go up by a year every 12 months - meaning 14-year-olds will NEVER be able to do so.

The Prime Minister says the move will protect future generations and prevent youngsters taking up smoking in the first place. If it becomes law, the Tobacco and Vapes Bill - which was included in the King's Speech - will deliver a hammer blow to the tobacco industry.

By 2040, the Government says, smoking rates among 14 to 30 year olds will be zero as a result. In his speech to Parliament, King Charles said the Government would "introduce legislation to create a smokefree generation by restricting the sale of tobacco".

According to Government documents, smoking costs the UK around £17billion a year, including £10billion every year through lost productivity. This dwarfs the £10billion raised through taxes on tobacco products, its figures show.

New powers will be created to give on-the-spot fines to people who aren't old enough. A document circulated alongside the King's Speech states: "We will not criminalise smoking - nor will anyone who can legally be sold cigarettes today be prevented from being so in the future."

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Do you agree with the new anti-smoking law? Vote in our poll HERE to have your say.

Ministers say they are "wasting no time", with an eight-week consultation launched on October 12. It said the laws will be implemented "as soon as possible" after the consultation closes next month.

It is estimated that 6.4million people - around 12.7% of adults - smoke. Experts believe half a million people will die by 2030 if no action is taken to tackle this.

Speaking on the final day of Tory party conference in Manchester last month, Mr Sunak said: "We must tackle the single biggest entirely preventable cause of ill health, disability and death. That is smoking in our country... It significantly increases the risk of stroke, heart disease, dementia and stillbirth."

The Prime Minister said: "I propose that in future we raise the smoking age by one year, every year...We know this works. When we raised the smoking age to 18, smoking prevalence dropped by 30% in that age group." He added: "We have a chance to cut cancer deaths by a quarter, significantly ease those pressures, and protect our children, and we should take it."

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Dave Burke