In a groundbreaking announcement at the annual Conservative Party conference, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak revealed his vision for a smoke-free future in England. His proposal aims to incrementally raise the legal age for purchasing cigarettes, year by year, until it becomes illegal for the entire population. The primary goal is to phase out smoking among young people and ultimately eliminate it altogether.
A Gradual Approach to Tackle Youth Smoking
Sunak’s proposal, if approved by Parliament, would gradually increase the legal smoking age in England, while Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales would remain unaffected. The incremental changes are designed to ensure that children who turn 14 this year and those even younger are never legally allowed to buy cigarettes in England.
Addressing the Root Cause of Smoking
During his announcement, Sunak emphasised the importance of preventing teenagers from taking up smoking in the first place. He pointed out that the vast majority of smokers start before they turn 20, and breaking this cycle is crucial to ending the leading cause of preventable deaths and diseases in the country.
Smoking Won’t Be Criminalized, But Change is Coming
It’s important to note that the government’s plan does not criminalise smoking. Instead, it focuses on making cigarettes less accessible to young people. Those who are currently of legal smoking age will not be prevented from buying cigarettes in the future due to these phase changes.
Progress and Challenges in Reducing Smoking
While the number of smokers in the UK has significantly decreased over the past few decades, approximately 13 percent of the population, or 6.4 million people, still smoke, according to official figures. Sunak’s office highlighted the success of raising the legal age of sale for tobacco from 16 to 18 in 2007, which reduced the prevalence of smoking among 16 and 17-year-olds by 30 percent.
International Support and Expert Endorsement
Health experts welcomed Prime Minister Sunak’s plan to gradually raise the legal smoking age. A similar measure was approved in New Zealand the previous year. Academics, such as Lion Shahab from University College London, expressed optimism about the “smoke-free generation” legislation, emphasising its potential to address a century-old issue, given that tobacco is the only legally available product that can have such dire health consequences for its users.
Restricting Access to Vapes
In addition to tackling traditional smoking, Sunak’s government is also taking measures to restrict access to e-cigarettes or vapes for children. Although it is currently illegal to sell vapes to children under 18 in the UK, youth vaping has seen a significant increase in recent years. Officials are exploring options such as restricting flavoured vapes and implementing regulations on packaging and store displays to make these products less appealing to young people.
Impact on the Tobacco Industry
The announcement had a notable impact on tobacco companies, as shares in firms like British American Tobacco and Imperial Brands experienced declines after Sunak’s speech. These developments signal a shifting landscape in the tobacco industry as governments worldwide take measures to reduce smoking rates and protect the health of their populations.
