Health campaigners, doctors, local councillors, academics, NHS leaders and survivors of smoking from across England have come together to welcome the government’s legislative plans to create a smokefree generation in today’s King’s Speech.

In a new ‘Tobacco and Vapes Bill’ [1] the Government will introduce a historic new law to stop children who turn 14 this year, or younger, from ever legally being sold cigarettes in England. It will also introduce further regulations to prevent the sale and promotion of vapes to children.

The confirmation that raising the legal age of sale for tobacco will be a key part of the legislative programme is a landmark moment in the history of tobacco control. In 2021, ASH estimated that the tobacco industry had killed 8 million people over the previous 50 years but with new legislation the terrible toll of tobacco could become a footnote in history.

Figures show:

Most smokers start as teenagers with 83% smoking before the age of 20 [2]
¾ of smokers would never have started if they had the choice again [2]
Smokers who start younger have higher levels of tobacco dependency and suffer a worse risk of lung cancer and heart disease during their lives [3]
Tobacco is an entirely preventable cause of ill health, disability and death in the country, responsible for 64,000 deaths in England a year. No other consumer product kills up to two-thirds of its users.

Representatives from some of the country’s leading organisations working on tobacco have welcomed the announcement. Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), Fresh, Greater Manchester Integrated Care Partnership, Humber and North Yorkshire Tobacco Control Programme and London Tobacco Alliance, have come together to build on the momentum of creating a smokefree future.

Hazel Cheeseman, Deputy Chief Executive of health charity ASH, said: “Tobacco has blighted so many lives, damaging our economy and public services in the process. All the major political parties recognise this impact and are committed to a smokefree future for Britain. Now parliamentarians have a historic opportunity to set this country on a path to end smoking.

Public support for this change is already high with 3 in 5 people backing the measure but this support is likely to grow as parliament debates this legislation and the public are reminded of terrible impact of smoking on society.”

ASH also welcomed Government commitment to take action to protect children from vaping products. Hazel added: “Vapes have been a valuable aid to help smokers quit but vaping has been growing among teens. Further regulations are needed to ensure products are not promoted or sold to teens. In addition, we’d welcome a further duty on disposable vapes to reduce their affordability for teenagers while ensuring they remain cheaper than lethal tobacco products.”