UK approves lifetime smoking ban for under-18s

LONDON:

Children in Britain who are 17 or younger, ?and anyone born in the future, will never be able to legally buy cigarettes after lawmakers approved new stricter restrictions on smoking.

The Tobacco and Vapes Bill raises the legal age for buying tobacco by one year, every year, starting with people born on or after January 1, 2009, meaning affected age groups face a lifetime ban.

The law, which is due to receive royal assent next week, also tightens controls on vaping, including banning sales of vaping and nicotine products to under 18s and restricting advertising, displays, free distribution and discounting.

The government said the measures would help reduce smoking and prevent young people from becoming addicted to nicotine, easing long-term pressure on the National Health Service (NHS).

Health Secretary Wes Streeting said the approval of the bill was a historic moment for the nation's health.

"Children in the UK will be part of the first smoke-free generation, protected from a lifetime of addiction and harm," he said.