No Tobacco Sales to Those Born After January 1, 2009
"A Bill to Avoid a Life Trapped in Addiction"
"Criticism of Restricting Personal Freedom"
A 'No smoking' sign is erected in a restaurant district in London, England. Photo by EPA Yonhap News
The UK Parliament has shown movement towards a tobacco-free world by initially passing a bill aimed at creating a 'smoke-free generation.'
On the 26th (local time), according to AFP and other sources, the UK House of Commons passed the second reading of the 'Tobacco and Electronic Cigarettes Bill' with 415 votes in favor and 47 against, moving the bill to the next stage of parliamentary review. According to the bill, tobacco sales are prohibited to those born on or after January 1, 2009 (currently 15 years old), and if the bill is finally passed, they will not be able to purchase tobacco even after reaching adulthood.
The bill grants the government authority to ban smoking in outdoor spaces such as children's playgrounds, schools, and hospital grounds. It also includes restrictions on electronic cigarette advertising, bans on vending machine sales of e-cigarettes, and limits on flavors and packaging of e-cigarettes that might appeal to minors. The government initially intended to include a ban on smoking in outdoor areas of pubs and cafes but reportedly withdrew this due to concerns about the impact on the service industry.
A similar bill was pushed by the previous Conservative government in April and passed the first hurdle. However, it was scrapped after the dissolution of Parliament following the announcement of an early general election. The Labour Party resumed efforts to pass the bill after coming to power in the July general election. Health Secretary Wes Streeting explained, "The number of minors using e-cigarettes is rapidly increasing, so urgent measures are needed," adding, "This bill helps prevent minors from being trapped in a life of addiction."
The bill will proceed to the House of Lords after committee review and a third reading in the House of Commons. Opposing members may request amendments during the review process. Some members of the Conservative Party, Liberal Democrats, and Reform UK have criticized the bill as "extremely restrictive of individual freedoms." It has been confirmed that 35 Conservative members, including party leader Keir Baidnok and former Home Secretary Suella Braverman, voted against the bill. Notably, Baidnok opposed a similar bill when he was Industry Secretary, stating, "People will have different rights for life based on a single day difference in their birthday." Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson also reacted, saying, "It's crazy that the party of Winston Churchill, who was a cigar enthusiast, is banning cigars."
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