The Tobacco and Vapes Bill received Royal Assent on 29 April 2026, creating the UK’s first smoke‑free generation by banning the sale of tobacco to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009. The legislation also includes measures to ban advertising and sponsorship of vapes and nicotine products, restrict packaging and branding aimed at children, and strengthen smoke‑free protections in public places. It establishes a retail licensing scheme to curb illicit sales and provides record funding for stop‑smoking services to help the 5.3 million smokers quit. Health officials, including Chief Medical Officer Sir Chris Whitty and NHS England director Dr Claire Fuller, said the Act will reduce disease burden and pressure on the NHS. The government will also tackle youth vaping through tighter controls on flavours and promotion. Implementation will rely on councils and local authorities to enforce the new regulations.
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