In the UK, anyone born in 2009 or later will be banned from buying cigarettes and other tobacco products. The law will come into force at the beginning of next year, subject to formal approval from King Charles III in the coming days. receives. It also stipulates that older adults who purchase tobacco products for people born in 2009 or later may be penalized in the future.
While the ban on the purchase of tobacco products will strictly apply to all vintages from 2009 onwards, e-cigarettes and other nicotine products will be restricted in another way: in the future they will no longer be allowed to be sold to people who have not reached the age of majority. In addition, the advertising of nicotine products will be restricted and the sale of tobacco will be subject to new licensing rules.
With the new law, the British Labor government is implementing a ban that had already been initiated by its conservative predecessors. Health Minister Wes Streeting spoke of “a historic moment for the health of the nation”. Children in the UK would become “part of the first smoke-free generation”; they would be protected from lifelong harm and dependency. Prevention is better than cure. The reform will save lives, reduce the burden on the National Health Service and contribute to a healthier Britain, Streeting said.
The new law also stipulates that certain public spaces can be declared smoke-free zones by the responsible ministries, such as playgrounds or areas in front of schools and hospitals. It also opens up the possibility of banning parents from using e-cigarettes in cars if they have children in them. However, smoking in beer gardens and public places such as beaches or parks should continue to be permitted.
How can age be verified?
One of the few critical voices was the former Conservative MP Michael Morris, who as Lord Naseby has been a member of the House of Lords for three decades and has repeatedly spoken out against stricter regulations to restrict smoking. He has long-standing ties to the British tobacco industry and complained in the latest vote on the law this week that the new rules would “upset a lot of people in the tobacco industry.” He called for better educational rules to ensure that young people avoid smoking.
Violations of the new law should be treated as misdemeanors and punished with fines; The legal text states that the usual amount is 200 pounds, i.e. around 230 euros. The new regulations only vaguely stipulate that tobacco sellers must take appropriate measures to check the age of their buyers in the future.
Since ID cards are not issued in Great Britain and the purchase of a passport is a voluntary act, the address fields of official letters are often used for general confirmation of identity. However, the age of the recipient is not noted on it. Driving licenses could be used as proof of age, but there remain gaps in evidence for those who do not have a passport or driving license.
