The UK permanently bans smoking for people born on January 1, 2009

Theo The Guardian On April 21, the British legislature passed the Tobacco and E-cigarettes Bill last Tuesday after many rounds of debate. The law will officially take effect after Royal assent next week. The new regulations completely prohibit businesses from selling this item to the population born in 2009 or later. British officials hope that this drastic measure will cut off the chain of addiction and gradually eliminate the tobacco business in the future.

The government’s strong decision comes from the huge medical and economic burden. Secondhand smoke kills 64,000 people and causes 400,000 patients to be hospitalized each year in this country. The National Health Service (NHS) spends around £3 billion annually on treating cancer and cardiovascular disease. Society as a whole also loses 21.3 to 27.6 billion pounds each year due to reduced labor productivity.

Health Minister Wes Streeting said the “legislation marks a historic moment for the nation’s health”, adding that the new policy helps protect children from substance dependence and prevent lifelong health damage.

In addition to age restrictions, the act empowers ministers to extend the smoking ban to children’s playgrounds, areas outside schools and hospitals. The government also banned e-cigarette brands from promoting and marketing nicotine-containing products to young people to prevent the risk of early addiction.

Many medical organizations welcomed the above step. Action on Health and Smoking director Hazel Cheeseman and Asthma and Lung UK representative Sarah Sleet both see the law as a turning point in changing the face of national health. They believe that the new policy will stop this industry’s opportunity to destroy the lungs of future generations.

However, e-cigarette companies expressed concern. VPZ company representative Richard Begg and We Vape founder Mark Oates warned that tightening management, especially flavor restrictions, could have the opposite effect. They argue that aromatherapy acts as a motivator to help adults switch to alternatives. Excessive prohibitions can easily push people who are quitting smoking to return to traditional products or seek illegal supplies on the black market.