'Tobacco Hate' Sunak, UK Prime Minister, Announces Smoking Reduction Plan
Gradually Raising Legal Purchase Age to Effectively Ban
"Opening Path for Criminal Organizations' Illegal Distribution," Tobacco Companies Protest
In the UK, those aged 14 and under may never be able to buy cigarettes in their lifetime. This is part of a plan to create a so-called 'smoke-free generation.'
On the 4th (local time), UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced a smoking reduction plan during his keynote speech at the Conservative Party annual conference held in Manchester, calling it "a way to prevent the main causes of health damage."
He stated, "Those currently 14 years old or younger, born after 2009, will not be able to legally purchase cigarettes even when they become adults," adding, "If the legal age for buying cigarettes is raised by one year every year from 18, smoking among young people will almost completely cease as early as 2040."
He also mentioned plans to consider restrictions on the sale of disposable e-cigarettes and to regulate the flavors and packaging of tobacco products in response to increased youth usage, saying, "Four out of five smokers start smoking before they turn 20. Although most try to quit later, many fail due to addiction."
This measure is similar to a policy announced by New Zealand last December. The New Zealand government is pushing a policy to ban cigarette purchases for those born after 2008. It plans to reduce the number of stores licensed to sell tobacco to about 10% of the current level and to lower the allowable nicotine content in cigarettes.
Prime Minister Sunak is known to personally dislike smoking. According to the UK daily The Times on the 22nd of last month, the Prime Minister's Office had instructed the creation of smoking regulations under the leadership of Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Chris Whitty, the government's top health advisor.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak attending the keynote speech at the Conservative Party annual conference held in Manchester, UK, on the 4th (local time). [Image source=AFP Yonhap News]
Anti-smoking advocacy groups welcomed the move. The UK nonprofit Barnardo's proposed a policy in a report commissioned by the government last year to prohibit cigarette purchases for certain age groups for life, but it was reported that then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson did not support it.
On the other hand, Sunak's speech had a slight impact on the stock market. Shares of major tobacco companies such as Imperial Brands and British American Tobacco fell by 2.8% and 1%, respectively. The stock price of e-cigarette distributor Supreme PLC also dropped by 3.7%.
The tobacco industry criticized the plan, saying it would have the side effect of "opening the door for criminal organizations to illegally distribute products."
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