Public health leaders across Cheshire and Merseyside are welcoming a “once-in-a-lifetime” ruling that will protect future generations from the harmful effects of smoking.
The Tobacco & Vapes Bill has been given Royal Assent, meaning people born on or after 1 January 2009 will never be legally sold tobacco products. It also introduces tougher controls on vape advertising and access for young people and, subject to consultation, will allow smoke-free rules to be extended to places such as playgrounds, schools and hospitals.
Coming into force from January 2027, the landmark changes are designed to break the cycle of addiction and prevent smoking-related illness, marking a major step towards creating the UK’s first smoke-free generation.
According to research, two in three smokers will have their lives cut short by the habit, with 74,600 lives across Cheshire and Merseyside being lost to smoking-related illnesses every single year.
Now, it is hoped that the new age restrictions and proposed powers to extend smoke-free rules to certain outdoor public spaces will protect children and young people from the harmful lifelong effects of smoking.
Young people from across Cheshire and Merseyside have joined public health leaders in supporting the Bill. Members of the Merseyside Youth Association, who have previously attended Parliament to share their views directly with policymakers, are speaking out about the importance of preventing their generation from taking up smoking.
Ruby O’Brien, from Kirkby, 17, said:
“I think the Bill is important and definitely a development, but it’s also important that we now educate our young people on the harmful effects of smoking so that they’re protected in the future.”
12-year-old Leo Chamberlain, from Halewood, added:
“I think the new law is a good thing and that it’s going to make Britain’s young people healthier and less likely to develop an addiction to smoking.”
As part of their call for the new ruling, public health leaders in Cheshire and Merseyside have emphasised the positive impact the Bill could have on thousands of young people across the region.
Dr Sarah McNulty, Director of Public Health for Knowsley and Lead Director of Public Health for Cheshire and Merseyside’s All Together Smoke Free programme, said:
“This moment will go down in history as the point we begin creating the country’s first smoke-free generation.
“For more than two years we have worked tirelessly to see this Bill become law, because we know that every day around 350 young people aged 18 to 25 across the UK start smoking. Action was needed to break that cycle. Today’s decision will help ensure the next generation does not face the lifelong harms and regrets caused by smoking.
“Public support for these changes has been strong throughout, with around two-thirds of adults backing the legislation. Now it is vital that we work closely with retailers and communities to make sure the new rules are understood and successfully introduced.”
Among the provisions of the Bill, there will be stricter control over advertising and promotion of tobacco, vapes and other products, plus retailers will face a new registration system for tobacco, vaping and nicotine products entering the UK market, strengthening consumer safety and enforcement.
Prof. Ian Ashworth, Director of Population Health for NHS Cheshire and Merseyside, said:
“We are still losing lives every day to illnesses caused by smoking that are entirely preventable, which is why this Bill matters so much.
“Tobacco is uniquely harmful, no other consumer product kills two thirds of its long-term users. By stopping future generations from ever being able to legally buy tobacco, this legislation will protect young people from starting to smoke and help prevent the devastating harms smoking causes.
“We have already made significant progress in reducing smoking across Cheshire and Merseyside in recent years, and these changes will help us go further and faster towards creating a smoke-free generation. We want to see a future where smoking no longer harms our communities, and this legislation puts us firmly on the path to achieving that.”
