A draft law in the UK to create a "smoke-free generation" by banning smoking for anybody born after 2008 has cleared both houses of parliament. Only the king's signature remains for it to become law.
  • Technically, the new law will raise the legal age requirement in the UK for buying cigarettes, cigars or tobacco, which is currently 18, by one year in every subsequent year, starting on January 1, 2027
  • This will effectively mean that people born on or after January 1, 2009 will never be eligible to buy them
  • Retailers will face financial penalties for selling the products to those not entitled to them
  • The government will also be empowered to impose a new registration system for smoking and vaping products entering the country, seeking to improve oversight
  • The bill will expand the UK’s indoor smoking ban to a series of outdoor public spaces, for instance in children’s playgrounds, outside schools and hospitals
  • Most indoor spaces that are designated smoke-free will become vape-free as well
  • Smoking in designated areas outside pubs and bars and other hospitality settings will remain permissible
  • Smoking and vaping will remain legal in people’s homes
  • Vaping will become illegal in cars if someone under the age of 18 is inside, to match existing rules on smoking
  • Advertising for smoking and vaping products will be banned
  • People aged 18 or older will remain eligible to purchase vaping products, but some items targeted at younger consumers like disposable vapes have already been outlawed as part of the program
    • qaeta@lemmy.caEnglish
      1·
      2 hours ago

      Because you’re doing it TO me. If it didn’t affect me I wouldn’t give a shit, but you smoking (well maybe not you specifically, I don’t know if you are careful about not smoking around people, but many smokers are not) DOES affect me.

    • freedom@lemy.lolEnglish
      32·
      17 hours ago

      Do you drive the speed limit? It protects others and future generations. Life would have been a lot healthier if someone hadn’t introduced that first cigarette to you 20yrs ago, and you would never have felt the loss.

      We care about people, even if they hurt themselves (and tax dollars in future healthcare). Most people are better off never starting. It’s like trying to stop someone from hang gliding into a volcano. Sure it’s fun… but most people shouldn’t do it.

      I would rest easier knowing there is less of it around for kids to get peer pressured into locking themselves to it.

      • shani66@ani.socialEnglish
        21·
        13 hours ago

        That’s called a ban on smoking for people under 18. You already do that.