SMOKING is set to be effectively banned in just a few years after new proposed legislation passed its first Commons hurdle.
Young people in the UK would be "smoke-free" by 2040, under Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's plans.
The legislation, seen by the PM as a key part of his long-term legacy, would make it illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone born after January 1, 2009.
It does not criminalise current smokers, but is aimed at preventing the harms caused by smoking, the leading causes of preventable illness and death in the UK.
Currently, around 12.9 per cent of UK adults smoke, and 8.7 per cent use an e-cigarette daily.
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What is the new smoking ban?
The Government hopes the crackdown will see 1.7million fewer people smoking by 2075, against the current 6.4 million.
In a speech in the House of Commons, Health Secretary Victoria Atkins said the bill will give the "next generation the freedom to live longer, healthier, more productive lives".
She said: "In the United Kingdom, almost one hospital admission a minute is the human cost of smoking.
"Smoking leaves people with premature dementia. It puts them in care, attached to oxygen for the rest of life.
"It increases the risk of stillbirth by almost 50 percent. It is responsible for 75,000 GP appointments every month and it takes around 80,000 lives every year."
Who will be affected by the smoking ban?
The plan means it will become illegal for anyone born on or after January 1, 2009, to be sold tobacco products.
It suggests a 15-year-old - born on or before December 31, 2008 - will always be able to buy cigarettes, with the legal age to buy smoking products rising year-on-year with their age.
Existing smokers will avoid the ban, and continue to be encouraged by health chiefs to switch to vaping.
But the PM also announced plans to outlaw vapes with packaging and flavours designed to appeal to youngsters.
Disposable vapes are also set to be banned in England to stop children getting addicted.
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How will the smoking ban work?
Currently, the smoking age is 18, which was changed from 16 years in 2007.
Raising the legal smoking age every year was one of the key recommendations of a government-commissioned review into smoking.
The All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) previously laid out 12 steps to help the government achieve this target alongside those announced by Mr Sunak at the Conservative Party conference.
MPs voted 383 to 67, majority 316, to give the Tobacco and Vapes Bill a second reading on April 16, 2024.
Conservative MPs were given a free vote on the Bill, meaning those who voted against the Government's position will not face punishment.
This allowed serving ministers, including Business Secretary and future Tory leadership hopeful Kemi Badenoch, to publicly reveal they would vote to reject the Bill.
The Government has called the move the "most significant public health intervention in a generation".
It is hoped the move will prevent tens of thousands of deaths and save the NHS billions of pounds.
Smoking increases the risk of 50 health conditions, including heart attack, stroke, cancer, erectile dysfunction and miscarriage during pregnancy.
It kills 76,000 people per year — many of whom would have taken up the habit decades ago.
We are now one step closer to protecting future generations from the unique harms caused by smoking
Victoria Atkins
The number of people who smoke in the UK has declined by two-thirds since the 1970s.
Mr Sunak insisted a ban was the “only way” to break the vicious cycle of kids taking up the habit and then struggling to quit as adults.
Ms Atkins said: "This is a historic milestone. With 80,000 lives lost to smoking every year, tobacco is the UK's single biggest preventable killer.
"But tonight shows everyone that this sad reality no longer has to be our future.
"I am delighted that we are now one step closer to protecting future generations from the unique harms caused by smoking."
Parliament has today begun the process of consigning smoking to the 'ash heap' of history
Deborah Arnott
Dr Ian Walker, of Cancer Research UK, said: “Today’s vote is critical in bringing us one step closer towards the first ever smokefree generation.
"By voting in favour of the age of sale legislation and helping position the UK as a world leader in tobacco control, MPs have listened to the demands of their constituents and placed themselves on the right side of history."
Deborah Arnott, of Action on Smoking and Health, said: “Parliament has today begun the process of consigning smoking to the 'ash heap' of history.
"However, this is only the first step, the Bill must now go through committee and another vote before going through the same process in the House of Lords."
Several senior Tory MPs publicly opposed the plans before the vote.
"The principle of equality under the law is a fundamental one. It underpins many of my personal beliefs," Ms Badenoch wrote on X, formerly Twitter, ahead of the vote.
I believe in personal freedom. Let's educate more and ban less
Robert Jenrick
She added: "We should not treat legally competent adults differently in this way, where people born a day apart will have permanently different rights."
Another potential contender to run for the Tory leadership, former immigration minister Robert Jenrick, also came out against the policy.
He tweeted: "I believe in personal freedom. Let's educate more and ban less.
"I also believe in the principle of equality under the law. A phased ban of smoking would be an affront to that. I will therefore vote against the Tobacco and Vapes Bill."
Labour's shadow health secretary Wes Streeting said: "Rishi Sunak put this bill at risk by granting a free vote, because he is too weak to stand up to the Liz Truss-wing of his party.
"Labour first proposed a progressive ban on smoking more than a year ago, and it was only thanks to Labour MPs that this bill passed.
"If we are privileged enough to form the next government, Labour will implement this ban, so young people today are even less likely to smoke than they are to vote Conservative."
Some countries have already banned smoking outside cafes, pubs, bars and restaurants, including New Zealand.
This was due to the rise in people eating and drinking outside during the coronavirus pandemic.
Smokers and non-smokers were forced to mix more while dining al fresco, something that wasn't appreciated by non-smokers.
