The Government has confirmed what will happen to Brits if they buy cigarettes after the Government’s flagship smoking ban goes live.
Speaking to Andrew Gwynne, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Public Health and Prevention, the Member of Parliament told LADbible exactly what will happen to those who will no longer be able to buy tobacco once the legislation is enshrined in to UK law.
Earlier this month, Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour government officially picked up former PM Rishi Sunak’s plan to create the country’s first ever smoke-free generation.
Introducing the Tobacco and Vapes Bill to Parliament, it will make it illegal to buy any form of tobacco product if you were born after January 2009.
It means that those currently aged around 15 and younger will never be able to purchase a cigarette, tobacco pouches, cigars and even the likes of shisha.
The Government has said it hopes to break the cycle of addiction associated with tobacco and nicotine to greater improve public health and relieve pressure on the NHS, with the health service spending roughly £2.2 billion every year on treating smoking related illness.
Speaking to Mr Gwynne this morning (22 November), he told LADbible exactly what will happen to Brits aged 15 and under if they were to ever buy a cigarette or other tobacco product from a shop.
“Well, firstly, let’s be really clear here that smoking is dangerous. It is still the biggest cause of death in this country and smoking-related illnesses are still far too obvious in too many communities,” he said.
“80,000 people here die from smoking-related illnesses and we need to make sure – and that’s what this bill is doing – that future generations are healthier, live longer, but more importantly, live healthier for longer.
“And one of the biggest preventable illnesses, all of the biggest preventable illnesses, actually, are linked directly or indirectly to smoking.”
LADbible sat down with Andrew Gwynne MP to discuss the new UK smoking ban (Ian Forsyth/Getty Images)
LADbible sat down with Andrew Gwynne MP to discuss the new UK smoking ban (Ian Forsyth/Getty Images)
When asked directly on the punishment that young smokers would face, Mr Gwynne confirmed that you will not be prosecuted for buying tobacco products if you are impacted by the ban – instead, attention with be elsewhere in the supply chain.
He said: “So this is about ensuring that we get a genuine smoke-free generation breaking once and for all this country’s habit on an addiction to tobacco and nicotine.
“Look, this isn’t about punishing young people. The enforcement regime that the bill brings in will tackle rogue retailers, not young people.
“So somebody illegally buys a cigarette. It will be the retailer that is punished, not the young person. I think that’s a really important distinction to make. We’re not criminalising smoking, but we are enforcing the restrictions on retailers to be responsible and mostly retailers are.
“Because at the moment, there’s lots of age of sale requirements on a whole ranger products, including on cigarettes and on alcohol and so on. Most retailers are really responsible. They ask for the required ID, they challenge if they’ve not got the required ID.”
The ban looms large (Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
The ban looms large (Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
Mr Gwynne continued: “They don’t sell and those that do – we’ve got trading standards, we’ve got environmental health officers that have got the powers to take appropriate action, and that will be the same with this bill.”
Alongside cigarettes, the Government is banning disposable vapes from 1 June, 2025 under separate environmental legislation.
There is also a first of its kind vaping tax on the way, announced in Rachel Reeves’ first Budget.
As for when the Tobacco and Vapes Bill becomes law, Mr Gwynne said we’re down to the official process of Parliament as the bill goes through the House of Commons and House of Lords.
“We’ve got a second reading next week and then it goes to committee and report stage, and third reading, then it goes to the Lords and if there are amendments we play ping pong as Parliament does until there’s a settled view,” he explained.
“Once it gets Royal Assent [the moment it is rubber-stamped in to law] then we are committed to consulting on a whole range of things like outdoor places where smoking will be restricted. Our consultation will be based around children’s playgrounds, schools, and hospitals. But the law makes it really clear; no child born after 1 January, 2009, will ever be able to legally buy tobacco.”
Going by the average time frame set out for bills to become law, the ban could well be in place by summer 2025.
Featured Image Credit: Jakub Porzycki / NurPhoto via Getty Images / Matt Cardy / Getty Images
Topics: Health, UK News, Originals, Politics, Vaping, NHS, Crime
Tom Earnshaw
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Government advice on what to do if you catch brutal illness sweeping the UK
Updated 12:45 12 Nov 2024 GMT
Published 12:30 12 Nov 2024 GMT
Government advice on what to do if you catch brutal illness sweeping the UK
The UK Health Service Agency has provided some advice on what to do if you catch the ‘unpleasant’ norovirus
Joshua Nair
Joshua Nair
The brutal illness that is currently sweeping the nation has reached seasonal highs, and it doesn’t show any signs of improving.
Luckily, health experts and the UK government have provided advice on what to do if you catch the infamous norovirus.
The ‘Kawasaki bug’ variant, named after the Japanese city it originated from, is currently taking the country by storm, as Brits have been told to stay home for days if they catch the illness.
According to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), almost 70 percent of all norovirus cases in the country are of this particular variant of the disease.
Norovirus is currently sweeping the nation (Getty Stock Photo)
Norovirus is currently sweeping the nation (Getty Stock Photo)
UKHSA took to X to say: “While #norovirus cases remain high, there are some simple steps you can take to avoid spreading the infection.”
In their latest official National norovirus and rotavirus report, they also detailed: “Norovirus activity has remained high in recent weeks, with total norovirus laboratory reports between weeks 42 to 43 of 2024 more than double the 5-season average for the same 2-week period,” adding that in the 2024/25 season, it is 26 percent higher than average.’
What is norovirus?
Norovirus a short-lived illness that can go in around two to three days, which the NHS describe as ‘very unpleasant’.
Symptoms such as nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting, a fever, a headache, and arm and leg aches can indicate that you have contracted the virus.
Young children and the elderly, or those with weakened immunity, are more at risk of suffering prolonged illness.
UK Health Security Agency
UK Health Security Agency
@UKHSA
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While #norovirus cases remain high, there are some simple steps you can take to avoid spreading the infection:
✅ Stay home for 48 hrs after symptoms clear
✅ Wash hands with soap & warm water
❌ Don’t prepare food for others
More info & advice:
ukhsa.blog.gov.uk/2022/11/17/nor…
10:13 PM · Nov 8, 2024
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How do you stop the spread of norovirus?
It is transmitted through contact with people, UKHSA explained, as well as surfaces or objects that may be contaminated with it.
The way to avoid it is to stay clean and wash your hands throroughly, as often as you can.
This will stop it from spreading, and it should be noted that hand sanitisers are not effective against the infection.
In addition, six pointers have been shared with the public on what to do if you do fall ill with norovirus:
Don’t use antibiotics
You should avoid antibiotics as these fight bacteria, not viruses.
Stay hydrated
Throwing up and having diarrhoea causes your body to lose not just water, but salts too. It is crucial to drink plenty of fluids and electrolytes to prevent dehydration.
Stay at home
It’s important that you stay home where possible, as the laws behind taking time off work due to the illness have also been outlined.
The government also urges people not to send children to school until their symptoms have subsided for 48 hours, and visiting your GP while symptomatic is not recommended.
Calling your GP on the phone, reading the NHS norovirus webpage or contacting 111 are ways to find out more if you are worried about your symptoms.
You should stay at home for at least two days if you fall ill with norovirus (Getty Stock Photo)
You should stay at home for at least two days if you fall ill with norovirus (Getty Stock Photo)
Avoid cooking for others
You should wait for 48 hours after symptoms have stopped to prepare food for others, as the virus can be spread through contaminated food when handled by people with the condition.
Wash clothes in hot water
Contaminated clothes or bedding should be washed with detergent at 60°C if possible, and it is advised you wear disposable gloves to handle anything contaminated.
Use cleaning products
Bleach-based cleaning products should be used to disinfect contaminated surfaces – a simple wet cloth won’t suffice in removing the chances of it passing over.
There is no cross-strain immunity when it comes to norovirus, so it is possible to have several infections in a short period of time.
Taking care and following the government’s advice above can save you from catching it in the colder months, when the virus thrives.
So, stay safe out there1
Featured Image Credit: Getty Stock Photo
Topics: Health, NHS, UK News
Joshua Nair
Joshua Nair
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What will happen if you’re born after 2009 and caught smoking under new ban
Published 24:01 20 Mar 2024 GMT
What will happen if you’re born after 2009 and caught smoking under new ban
It’s a revolutionary move by the government
Tom Earnshaw
Tom Earnshaw
The Government has doubled down on its commitment to create the United Kingdom’s first ever smoke-free generation through the introduction of a brand new smoking ban.
And it’s the kind of smoking ban that makes the 2007 decision to ban smoking in enclosed public spaces look like child’s play, with the new 2024 proposal set to bring in a blanket ban on buying tobacco for anyone born in the UK after 2009.
It means that anyone currently turning 15 this year or younger will never legally be allowed to buy tobacco products like cigarettes, tobacco pouches, or cigars.
“Smoking takes around 80,000 lives in the UK every year and causes one in four cancer-related deaths,” said Health and Social Care Secretary, Victoria Atkins.
“It’s therefore only right we take robust action to protect future generations from these harmful products,”
Smoking will be illegal for those born after 2009.
Getty Stock Images
Why is it being introduced?
It’s the next step in Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s campaign against smoking, having already confirmed he will ban disposable vapes and specific flavours throughout the country in the fight against children becoming addicted.
In making the UK’s first ever smoke-free generation, politicians hope that it will not only save thousands of lives but in turn, save the NHS billions of pounds in not having to treat smoking-related illness like lung cancer.
Research says that smoking is the country’s single biggest preventable killer and costs the NHS and the economy an estimated £17 billion a year.
Four in five of those who start smoking before the age of 20 remain addicted for the rest of their lives, the Department of Health and Social Care says, putting lifelong pressure on the NHS for those in this situation.
It adds that someone admitted to hospital with a smoking relating condition almost every minute in England.
Smoking will become a thing of the past.
Getty Stock Images
What will the ban actually do?
Well, you can’t legally buy cigarettes or other tobacco products if you’re turning 15 this year or younger.
It’ll be put to Parliament today (20 March) in the form of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill.
If the Bill is makes in to law, enforcement officers’ powers will also be strengthened with on the spot fines of £100 to those who sell tobacco to those born after 2009 or for selling banned vaping products.
This will be on top of the current maximum fine of £2,500 that councils can already impose. The law will also ban free samples of vapes to under 18s which is current allowed due to a loophole in the law.
Binned cigarettes.
Getty Stock Images
What happens to you if you buy tobacco products and you’re born after 2009?
LADbible spoke to the Department of Health and Social Care over this, to which a spokesperson confirmed that if you’re illegally sold a pack of cigarettes, the issue will lie with those selling it.
Smoking itself will not be criminalised, the department says. It also says that anyone who can legally buy tobacco now will not be prevented from doing so in future.
Mr Sunak said: “If we want to build a better future for our children we need to tackle the single biggest entirely preventable cause of ill-health, disability and death: smoking.
“That is why, alongside new measures to curb the alarming rise in youth vaping, we are delivering on our commitment to create a smokefree generation and stop our kids from getting hooked on harmful cigarettes and other nicotine products.
“This important change will save thousands of lives and billions of pounds for our NHS, freeing up new resource than can be spent to improve outcomes for patients right across the UK.”
Professor Chris Whitty, Chief Medical Officer for England said: “Smoking causes harm across the life course. This includes stillbirth, asthma, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, 15 different types of cancer, stroke and dementia.”
If passed this will be a major public health measure which reduce illness, disability, and premature deaths for children today and future generations.
Featured Image Credit: Getty Stock Images
Topics: Health, NHS, UK News, Politics, Rishi Sunak
Tom Earnshaw
Tom Earnshaw
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Government announces smoking ban for people born after 2009
Published 24:01 20 Mar 2024 GMT
Government announces smoking ban for people born after 2009
If you were born after 2009 then you’re never legally buying a cigarette.
Joe Harker
Joe Harker
The government has introduced a bill into parliament which if passed would effectively ban smoking for anyone born after 2009.
The Tobacco and Vapes Bill would rule that children turning 15 this year and any younger would never legally be able to be sold tobacco.
In essence this would set a new legal limit on the age of people allowed to smoke and raise it by a year every year, meaning that subsequent generations will never be allowed to buy tobacco products.
The bill won’t make smoking a criminal act and anyone who can legally buy tobacco right now will still be able do so, it’s just that the legal ladder would be pulled up after them to stop the youth of today and future generations from huffing and puffing away on tobacco.
As the bill’s name suggests, it’ll also be taking aim at vaping as well as tobacco smoking, and will bring in new powers to restrict vape flavours and packaging deemed to be aimed at children.
If the Tobacco and Vapes Bill passes through parliament then future generations won’t be allowed to smoke.
Mike Kemp/In Pictures via Getty Images
The government will have the power to change how vapes are displayed in shops, meaning they can be moved out of sight of children and away from products like sweets.
While the long-term health impacts of vaping are unknown, they do contain highly addictive nicotine, and there have been people who have said vaping has been hazardous to their health.
Generally seen as healthier than cigarettes, vaping is nonetheless not a healthy thing to be doing.
The Tobacco and Vapes Bill is somewhat similar to a measure which was supposed to come into effect in July in New Zealand as it would have banned anyone born after 1 January 2009 from buying tobacco.
However, after New Zealand’s general election last year, the new government changed course.
They said they still wanted to reduce smoking, but the ban on younger generations being able to buy tobacco products was dropped.
Younger generations won’t be allowed to buy tobacco products in the UK if the bill passes.
Peter Dazeley
Under the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, would-be powers would be granted to police to issue ‘on the spot’ fines of £100 for selling tobacco products and vapes to people who are underage, to go along with the fines of £2,500 which local authorities can impose.
Giving free samples of vapes to people who are under 18 will also be made illegal.
Another piece of legislation the government is working on is a ban on disposable vapes from April 2025 onwards, with concerns that nine percent of children aged between 11 and 15 were vaping.
It is hoped that cutting down on smoking would help save the country money.
Dr Javed Khan, who conducted an inquiry into smoking in England, claimed the annual cost of smoking to society was about £17 billion, with the NHS shouldering £2.4 billion of those costs.
There will also be more powers to tackle vapes which are targeted at children.
Daniel Harvey Gonzalez/In Pictures via Getty Images
Speaking about the bill which has been introduced to parliament, prime minister Rishi Sunak said: “If we want to build a better future for our children we need to tackle the single biggest entirely preventable cause of ill-health, disability and death: smoking.
“That is why, alongside new measures to curb the alarming rise in youth vaping, we are delivering on our commitment to create a smoke free generation and stop our kids from getting hooked on harmful cigarettes and other nicotine products.
“This important change will save thousands of lives and billions of pounds for our NHS, freeing up new resource than can be spent to improve outcomes patients right across the UK.”
Rishi Sunak wants to ban smoking for people born after 2009.
CARL RECINE/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
England’s chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty said: “Smoking causes harm across the life course.
“This includes stillbirth, asthma, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, 15 different types of cancer, stroke and dementia.
”If passed this will be a major public health measure which reduce illness, disability, and premature deaths for children today and future generations.”
Meanwhile, health secretary Victoria Atkins said: “Smoking kills. It takes around 80,000 lives in the UK every year and causes one in four cancer-related deaths.
“It’s therefore only right we take robust action to protect future generations from these harmful products.
”Today is a significant milestone, representing the single biggest preventable health policy in a generation with a first-of-its-kind bill aimed at preventing our children and young people from falling prey to a lifetime of nicotine addiction.
”This landmark legislation will ensure generations to come will have healthier lives, while freeing up NHS capacity by removing the huge pressure caused by smoking-related illness.”
Featured Image Credit: Getty Stock Image
Topics: Health, Politics, Vaping, UK News
Joe Harker
Joe Harker
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Where smoking will be banned in UK as government officially announces new legislation
Published 13:20 5 Nov 2024 GMT
Where smoking will be banned in UK as government officially announces new legislation
The Tobacco and Vapes Bill has officially made its comeback under a Labour government
Tom Earnshaw
Tom Earnshaw
The UK government has officially put forward its plans to ban smoking as part of a new parliamentary bill it hopes to turn in to law.
Dubbed the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour government is picking up where Rishi Sunak left, after the former prime minister first revealed plans to ban smoking back in 2023.
The bill was dropped due to the 2024 general election, with Sunak saying he was ‘disappointed’ his flagship policy did not get turned in to law before he left Downing Street.
But Sir Keir has picked up the plans, which had cross-party support when Labour were in opposition before winning the keys to Number 10.
As a result, the updated Tobacco and Vapes Bill has today (5 November) been introduced in to Parliament by the Government, promising ‘tougher action to better protect the public, NHS and the economy from the harms of smoking’.
What smoking products will the Tobacco and Vapes Bill ban?
Under the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, the UK Government will create a ‘world-leading’ smoke free generation, with those born after January 2009 banned from buying tobacco products.
That will be cigarettes, tobacco pouches, and cigars. The hope is to break the cycle of addiction associated with smoking for those currently under 15 and generations to come.
As well as this, the Government will be given powers to extend the indoor smoking ban to specific outdoor spaces. It will target children’s playgrounds, outside schools and hospital.
All of these options are being considered and will be debated by politicians as it makes its way through the House of Commons and House of Lords.
Smoking is being banned for everyone 15 and under (Getty Stock Image)
Smoking is being banned for everyone 15 and under (Getty Stock Image)
What about a vaping ban?
Under the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, a ban on vape advertising and sponsorship is being introduced.
Powers will also be brought in restricting the flavours, display and packaging of all types of vapes, as well as other nicotine products.
Disposable vapes are also due to be banned from 1 June, 2025 under separate environmental legislation. The new proposals are also separate to plans to bring in a first of its kind vaping tax.
It’s time to wave goodbye to these colourful little guys (Getty Stock Photo)
It’s time to wave goodbye to these colourful little guys (Getty Stock Photo)
Is vaping and smoking being banned in pub beer gardens?
In a move that will delight the hospitality industry, Labour has confirmed a u-turn on plans to introduce a smoking and vaping ban in beer gardens up and down the country.
“We’re not going ahead or not proposing to go ahead with a ban on outdoor hospitality,” Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said.
Mr Streeting said the hospitality sector ‘has taken a battering in recent years’ and that talk of a ban was simply ‘leaked government discussion’ that produced ‘really good debate’ about whether it was correct or not.
He said: “We don’t want to add to their pressure – so we’re not proposing to go ahead with an outdoor hospitality ban at this time.”
Smoking can continue in beer gardens (Newscast/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
Smoking can continue in beer gardens (Newscast/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
Why is the Government introducing the ban?
The Government says that almost every minute, someone is admitted to hospital because of smoking and up to 75,000 GP appointments can be attributed to smoking each month; more than 100 every hour.
Mr Streeting said: “Unless we act to help people stay healthy, the rising tide of ill-health in our society threatens to overwhelm and bankrupt our NHS. Prevention is better than cure.
“This government is taking bold action to create the first smoke-free generation, clamp down on kids getting hooked on nicotine through vapes, and protect children and vulnerable people from the harms of second-hand smoke.
“This historic legislation will save thousands of lives and protect the NHS. By building a healthy society, we will also help to build a healthy economy, with fewer people off work sick.”
The Tobacco and Vapes Bill will now go through the official processes in Parliament in order to become legislation. This could be fast-tracked in a matter of weeks or left to usual procedure, which will mean a timescale of a good few months, at least, before it is given Royal Assent.
Featured Image Credit: Jakub Porzycki / NurPhoto via Getty Images
