Following an agreement between the House of Commons and the House of Lords, the legislation awaits royal assent to come into force, likely next year. This measure means that young people aged 17 or under will never reach the legal age to purchase tobacco in the United Kingdom, as the age limit will increase by one year indefinitely.
The new regulation not only focuses on traditional tobacco but also grants the British Executive powers to strictly regulate the vaping and nicotine market. This will impact advertising, flavors appealing to minors, and packaging design. Furthermore, new smoke and vapor-free zones will be established, prohibiting vaping in vehicles carrying minors, playgrounds, and near educational centers and hospitals.
“"This law will enable children in the United Kingdom to be part of the “first smoke-free generation,” protecting them from addiction and lung damage."
Organizations such as Cancer Research UK and Asthma + Lung UK have hailed this development as a “historic achievement.” However, the law has generated controversy. A political leader has expressed his intention to repeal it if he comes to power in 2029, questioning its logistical feasibility and calling it “idiotic.”
In Spain, the association Nofumadores.org has highlighted that since 2020 it has advocated for a similar measure, outlined in its “ENDGAME Tobacco Declaration in Spain 2030.” The association's president has urged the Spanish Government to include the progressive abolition of tobacco and nicotine product sales to those born after 2009 in the ongoing amendment of the Tobacco Law.
In the Canary Islands, smoking remains a significant public health issue. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 4,700 Canarians die annually from tobacco-related causes, including various types of cancer and heart attacks. In fact, one in four residents of the islands, aged between 15 and 65, smokes daily.
