According to government sources cited by The Guardian, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is exploring the possibility of implementing measures that would prohibit the next generation from ever purchasing cigarettes.
Sunak is reportedly considering anti-smoking regulations akin to those introduced by New Zealand last year. These regulations include a ban on the sale of tobacco to individuals born on or after January 1, 2009.
“We aim to encourage more people to quit smoking and achieve our goal of becoming smoke-free by 2030. That’s why we have already taken steps to reduce smoking rates,” stated a spokesperson from the British government.
The existing measures to reduce smoking rates include the distribution of free vape kits, a voucher program designed to incentivize pregnant women to quit smoking, and consultations regarding mandatory inserts in cigarette packs.
These proposed policies are part of a new consumer-centric initiative by Sunak’s team in anticipation of next year’s expected elections.
In May, the UK announced its intention to close a loophole that allowed retailers to provide free vape samples to children as part of a crackdown on e-cigarettes.
Additionally, in July, councils in England and Wales urged the government to ban the sale of single-use vapes by 2024, citing both environmental and health concerns.
