Children who are not 18 before January 1, 2027 will be permanently barred from buying cigarettes and other tobacco products in the UK if the Tobacco and Vapes Bill receives royal assent. The legislation cleared its last parliamentary hurdle when the House of Lords approved technical amendments to the measure first introduced in 2024.
Only the Maldives currently maintains a similar “generational smoking ban.” New Zealand was the first to adopt this approach but reversed it after a change of government in 2023.
Scope and where the rules apply
The rules will operate across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and were developed in consultation with the devolved governments.
Key provisions include:
– The legal age to buy cigarettes, cigars or other tobacco will rise by one year annually from January 1, 2027, meaning anyone born on or after January 1, 2009 will never be eligible to purchase these products.
– Retailers will face financial penalties for selling tobacco to people not entitled to buy it.
– The government may set up a registration system for smoking and vaping products entering the country to improve oversight.
– The indoor smoking ban will be extended to specified outdoor public spaces such as children’s playgrounds and areas outside schools and hospitals.
– Most indoor smoke-free spaces will also become vape-free.
– Designated outdoor smoking areas at pubs, bars and other hospitality venues may still be permitted.
– Smoking and vaping will remain legal in private homes.
– Vaping will be illegal in cars when someone under 18 is present, aligning with existing rules on smoking in vehicles.
– Advertising for smoking and vaping products will be banned.
– Adults aged 18 and over will still be permitted to buy vaping products, although some items aimed at younger users — notably disposable vapes — have already been outlawed.
Parliamentary reaction
The House of Lords approved six technical amendments with little opposition. Baroness Gillian Merron, speaking for the Labour Party and the Department of Health and Social Care, described the bill as “a landmark Bill” and “the biggest public health intervention in a generation,” saying it will save lives.
Conservative peer Michael Morris, Baron Naseby, reiterated objections voiced by some retailers and others, criticising the government for not addressing retailers’ concerns and objecting to standard fines of £200 for breaches of age restrictions or proxy sales. He said the focus should be on education to prevent smoking uptake.
Next steps
Royal assent — the monarch’s formal approval — is expected to complete the process and make the bill law. The measure was also listed in the King’s Speech as a government priority.
Edited by Roshni Majumdar