The British Parliament on Tuesday passed a landmark legislation to prevent children aged below 18 from exposure to smoking. The Tobacco and Vapes Bill cleared from both Houses of Parliament, imposes a lifelong ban on buying cigarettes for children aged 17 or below.
Both the Houses of Commons and Lords have settled on a final draft, which stops anyone born on or after January 1, 2009, from taking up tobacco in any form. The legislation aims to create a smoke-free generation.
After the Bill gets royal assent, the ministers will get new powers to regulate tobacco, vaping and nicotine products. As provisioned, vaping will be banned in cars with children as occupants, outside schools, at hospitals, and on the playgrounds. However, outside hospitals, vaping would be allowed for people trying to quit.
Moreover, the plan also does not include outdoor hospitality venues like pub gardens and wider open spaces such as beaches and private outdoor spaces. The Bill also does not restrict people from smoking in their homes.
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The United Kingdom has found smoking as one of the leading causes of preventable ill health, disability and death. The legislation was brought in with the intention of dealing with this crisis and is part of a series of measures being taken to tackle it.
Secretary of State for Health and Social Care dubs legislation historic
Calling it a historic moment for the UK's health, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Wes Streeting, said, "Prevention is better than cure – this reform will save lives, ease pressure on the NHS, and build a healthier Britain."
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On Monday, Health Minister Baroness Merron told the Lords, "It is, in fact, the biggest public health intervention in a generation and I can assure all noble Lords it will save lives."