Bill banning people born after 2008 from buying tobacco clears UK parliament

Bill banning people born after 2008 from buying tobacco clears UK parliament
Ministers hope tobacco and vapes bill, which will become law next week, will create a 'smoke-free generation'

Denis Campbell Health policy editor
Tue 21 Apr 2026 14.38 EDT
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A bill banning anyone born after 2008 from buying tobacco in the UK has completed its progress through parliament in a move that ministers hope will create a "smoke-free generation".

Under the tobacco and vapes bill anyone born on or after 1 January 2009 will never be able to be legally sold tobacco across the UK, in an effort to save lives and reduce the burden on the NHS.

The bill will become legislation when it receives royal assent next week. Its long journey through both houses of parliament began when it was introduced on 5 November 2024 and ended on Tuesday, when the House of Lords approved amendments made by MPs in House of Commons...