What happened?

  • The UK government proposed a bill to ban the sale of tobacco products to anyone born in 2009 or later, with the aim of creating the UK’s first smoke-free generation and reducing smoking-related health issues and mortality rates.

  • The proposed legislation, which was supported by a free vote in the House of Commons (383 to 67), would raise the legal smoking age every year, effectively preventing those born after January 1, 2009, from buying tobacco.

  • The bill also includes measures to curb youth vaping, like banning cheap disposable vapes and limiting flavors.

  • Smoking rates have declined in Britain, but vaping has increased, with one in five adults under 45 vaping by 2023. However, the prevalence of hand-rolled cigarettes has also increased, particularly among women from higher socioeconomic backgrounds.

  • The legislation does not ban smoking completely; current smokers can continue purchasing tobacco if the Bill passes.


    What is Conservative media saying:

  • Amy Gallagher, a U.K. mental health nurse and London mayoral candidate, appeared on ‘Fox & Friends’ to discuss the nation’s ban of puberty blockers for children. (foxnews.com)

  • The bill has faced opposition within the Conservative Party, with some members calling it “unconservative.” Concerns include the risk of a black market and limiting personal freedoms. Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson called the smoking ban plans “absolutely nuts.” (washingtontimes.com, foxnews.com)

  • Despite the opposition, the bill is expected to pass its initial parliamentary vote easily. The government has clarified that smoking won’t be criminalized under the bill. New Zealand’s similar policies were an inspiration, but the country’s coalition government repealed the bill. (washingtontimes.com, foxnews.com)


    What is Center media saying:

  • Smoking among younger middle-class women has increased by over 25% in the last decade, while rates among working-class women decreased. Smoking rates among more advantaged women rose from 11.7% to 14.9% between 2013 and 2023, while rates among women in lower socioeconomic groups dropped from 28.7% to 22.4%. (news.sky.com)

  • The study was funded by Cancer Research UK and published in BMC Medicine, and researchers from University College London studied data from the Smoking Toolkit Study involving 197,266 adults, including 44,052 women aged 18 to 45. (news.sky.com)


    What is Liberal media saying:
  • Retailers warn that enforcing a smoking ban must come with a strategy to protect them from potential abuse and ensure compliance, highlighting concerns about increased retail crime and shoplifting. (independent.co.uk)
  • The bill faced opposition from some Conservative MPs, including potential future leader Kemi Badenoch and five ministers, who voted against it, highlighting division within the party over the prime minister’s policies. (theguardian.com)

  • Retailers, including the British Independent Retailers Association (Bira), stress the need for clear communication, additional training, and collaborative enforcement strategies to ensure the success of the smoking ban. (independent.co.uk, time.com)

  • Health leaders, NHS bosses, and medical professionals supported the smoking ban, citing the high number of smoking-related deaths and illnesses, while some lawmakers feared it could lead to age-based treatments and be seen as governmental overreach. (theguardian.com, csmonitor.com)

  • Tobacco firms lobbied politicians against the legislation, advocating for raising the smoking age to 21 instead of an outright ban. (theguardian.com)

  • The proposed legislation aims to make vaping less attractive by changing packaging and outlawing disposable inhalers, while also doubling funding for stop smoking services. (theguardian.com, washingtonpost.com)


  • The Government’s motivation is to reduce smoking-related deaths, NHS costs, and productivity loss in the UK. (independent.co.uk)





    Sources:
  • Washington Post
  • CBS News
  • The Guardian – Smoking Study
  • AP News
  • The Guardian – Podcast
  • CNN
  • The Guardian – Public Opinion
  • Fox News
  • Washington Times
  • Sky News
  • Newsmax
  • The Guardian – Commons Vote
  • The Guardian – Bill Details
  • Christian Science Monitor
  • The Independent
  • Time