What is the Smokefree Generation?
The Government is introducing changes to create the first ever Smokefree Generation.
The proposed changes will protect future generations from starting smoking, and effectively phase out smoking for good.
This means that anyone turning 15 in 2024, and children who are younger, will never legally be sold cigarettes or other tobacco products, even after they turn 18.
The changes also include additional support for smokers who are trying to quit, and measures to reduce the appeal of vapes to children and young people.
What is the Government doing on smoking?
The law currently states that anybody who is aged 18 or over can legally be sold cigarettes or other tobacco products in England.
The planned changes mean it would be illegal to sell cigarettes or other tobacco products to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009.
This means that anyone turning 15 in 2024, and children who are younger, will never legally be sold cigarettes or other tobacco products, even after they turn 18.
This law will apply to all tobacco products, including:
- cigarettes
- cigars
- shisha
- chewing tobacco
- heated tobacco products
- herbal smoking alternatives
- cigarette papers
The Government is also providing extra support to help people who want to quit smoking.
Video: Sue's story
Sue shares how she started smoking when she was young as it was the in-thing to do. She describes the effect smoking's had on her life after being diagnosed with throat cancer.
What is the Government doing on vaping?
The current law states that anybody who is aged 18 or over can legally be sold vapes containing nicotine in England.
The Government's planned changes include:
- introducing a ban on the sale and supply of disposable vapes
- introducing an age restriction for nicotine-free vapes, so that only individuals aged 18 or over can legally be sold nicotine-free vapes
- measures to restrict the range of vape flavours, changing their packaging and how they are displayed in shops
Reusable vapes used as quit smoking aids will still be available to adult smokers.
Did you know?
3 out of 4 people who smoke today wish they could turn back time and never pick up their first cigarette.
Why is the Government introducing these changes?
Protecting future generations from the harms of smoking
83% of smokers start smoking when they’re in their teens, making them much more likely to become addicted. The dependence on nicotine from a young age makes it a lot harder to quit later in life.
Smoking significantly increases the risk of developing diseases such as cancer, heart disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It causes 1 death in England every 8 minutes.
Up to 2 in 3 long-term smokers die from smoking (source — Banks et al. BMC medicine, 2015).
The proposed changes will protect future generations from starting smoking.
Limiting the appeal of vaping to children and young people
Vapes are an effective tool to help smokers quit, but shouldn't be used by non-smokers or children.
There’s been a rise in vaping amongst children and young people, with 1 in 5 children having claimed to have used a vape.
Disposable vapes have been shown to be particularly attractive to children. 69% of 11 to 17 years olds who use a vape in England, Scotland and Wales use a disposable vape.
These changes aim to limit the appeal and accessibility of vapes to children and young people.
How will the proposed changes affect me?
Did you know?
Smoking costs England around £17 billion a year due to loss of earnings, unemployment, early death and the financial cost to the NHS.
If these changes happen, when will I be affected?
These changes won’t happen immediately. Any new law that affects the way you are sold cigarettes, other tobacco products or vapes will be introduced over time and will be clearly communicated.
You might hear or read about it in the news. You can find out more about the changes at Gov.uk Policy Paper – Stopping the start: our new plan to create a smokefree generation.
How will the changes be enforced?
This legislation change will be enforced by Trading Standards, Border Force and HMRC.
Local Trading Standards Officers will be able to issue on the spot fines to tackle underage sales of tobacco.
This won’t criminalise smoking or other tobacco products and they will still be able to be sold to people to whom they are currently sold legally.
Support for people who smoke
To help people quit smoking, there will be additional support from local Stop Smoking Services across England from April 2024.
A new ‘Swap to Stop’ scheme has been introduced to provide one million vape starter kits to adult smokers who want to quit.
If you smoke and want to quit, you can access help and support now. Visit Quit Smoking for information on ways to quit and how to access support services, such as Local Stop Smoking services.
If you want to help somebody quit, read how to help someone quit smoking which includes practical tips to help them succeed.
