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
    • YeahIgotskills2@lemmy.worldEnglish
      53·
      15 days ago

      It’s not at all and, genuinely, from my own lived experience, I can assure you that this hysterical BS narrative about how we Brits live in terror from our authoritarian government is utter nonsense.

      I smoked (and occasionally still do, but usually vape). If I can stop my kids from starting this insane habit then all the better. It’s cost me thousands, and fucked up my health and I have no issue with them banning it for the greater good, even though I do enjoy a ciggie.

      All the other hysterical bluster you’re being fed is a product of your own media, invariably owned by right-wing fuckers with a vested interest in painting the UK (In particular Labour) as some sort of communist regime.