United Kingdom: King Charles has confirmed a plan to gradually raise the legal age for buying cigarettes by one year each year. This means that a 14-year-old today will never be able to legally purchase cigarettes.
During King Charles’ first State Opening of Parliament, the goal was declared to create a generation that doesn’t smoke.
These plans were first mentioned by the Prime Minister during the 2023 Conservative Party conference. He explained that the government wants to phase out cigarette sales for future generations, which is seen as a big step for public health. The Prime Minister also promised to make it harder for kids to get disposable vapes.
UK Prime Minister Sunak talked about smoking and said, “Most people who start smoking do it when they’re young and later want to quit but find it hard because they’re addicted and wish they never started.” He added that breaking this cycle would reduce preventable deaths and illnesses, as reported by the Independent.
PM Rishi Sunak has already suggested a plan to deal with smoking by raising the legal smoking age by one year each year. He said, “So, a 14-year-old today will never legally buy cigarettes, and they will grow up without smoking.”
Currently, in the UK, you have to be 18 to buy cigarettes or use a vape. Back in 2007, the age was raised from 16. In July 2007, smoking inside most public places, like pubs and restaurants, was banned.
The plan in the UK is expected to be similar to what New Zealand did. They banned the sale of tobacco to people born after January 1, 2009. The idea is to gradually raise the legal smoking age, so the next generation can’t buy cigarettes.
While the exact details are not clear, it’s expected that the UK will also stop selling cigarettes and tobacco to people born after a certain date, increasing the legal age for smoking each year. If this starts in the UK by 2027, anyone 14 or younger today won’t be able to buy cigarettes, according to a report by UK News.