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Sunak said: ““That means a 14-year-old today will never legally be sold a cigarette and that their generation will grow up smoke-free.”
Similar policies are already in place in New Zealand.
The prime minister stated that the vote will be a free vote and not one that is subject to a government whip.
He also outlined his concerns about the vaping category and the impact of disposable vapes, stating that he wants to ‘bring forward measures to restrict the availability of vapes to our children… looking at flavours, packaging, displays and disposable vapes.’
On tobacco legislation, ACS chief executive James Lowman said: “We will work with the government on how this policy will be implemented and enforced. Our sector has a proud record on preventing under age purchases, and we will continue to provide the advice members need to comply with whatever age restriction policy parliament decides on.”
On vaping, Lowman said: “We welcome further consultation on vaping products and hope the government will look carefully at increasing funding for enforcement activity to prevent underage sales and stamp out the sale of illegal vapes.”
As part of its industry leading Assured Advice scheme, developed in partnership with Surrey and Buckinghamshire Trading Standards, ACS has comprehensive guidance available for retailers on the responsible sale of both tobacco and vaping products.
ACS has also recently launched a campaign to help retailers communicate their responsibilities when it comes to the sale of vapes, as well as helping both retailers and customers identify fake and illicit product.
The announcement on smoking has been met with approval from The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Smoking and Health and independent public health charity Action on Smoking and Health (ASH).
Deborah Arnott, chief executive of ASH, said: “The Prime Minister has today announced an unprecedented set of measures to protect the next generation and hasten the day when smoking is obsolete. Children are four times as likely to start smoking if they grow up with smokers, and once they do it’s highly addictive and difficult to quit.”
Bob Blackman CBE MP, chairman of the APPG on Smoking and Health said: “We congratulate the prime minister for sending a clear message in his speech today that this government is determined to deliver a smoke-free future for our children.
“We look forward to seeing his words turned into action, with commitments in the King’s speech in November to legislation in the forthcoming parliamentary session.”
Not everyone is pleased with that part of Sunak’s speech, however. Christopher Snowdon, head of lifestyle economics at the free market think tank, the Institute of Economic Affairs, said: “Not only is this prohibitionist wheeze hideously illiberal and unconservative, it is full of holes. It will create a two-tier society in which adults buy cigarettes informally from slightly older adults and will inflate the black market in general.
“It may well breach equalities legislation and will very likely be challenged in the courts. It will certainly create huge problems for retailers and may ultimately require a system of national ID cards.”
The World Vapers’ Alliance said it rejects a generational smoking ban for those born after 2008 as a good smoking reduction tool.
Michael Landl, director of the World Vapers’ Alliance, commented: “While we share the ambition to further reduce smoking rates, imposing bans isn’t the answer. We run the risk of creating a booming black market, pushing young adults toward illicit avenues. The UK’s harm reduction strategy has been commendably effective. It’s time to further amplify this approach by endorsing vaping, recognising nicotine pouches, and legalising snus, rather than resorting to bans.”
On the other hand, the World Vapers’ Alliance is concerned about the announcement of restrictions on flavoured vaping products and disposable vapes and encourages the UK to keep its commitment to evidence-based harm reduction strategies and its position as a global leader in this domain.
“Keeping disposable vapes and flavoured products on the market ensures that those wishing to transition away from smoking have every tool at their disposal. Banning flavours risks pushing vapers back to smoking or to the black market, and banning disposable vapes will prevent many smokers from trying vaping to quit.
“The United Kingdom has reduced smoking rates rapidly thanks to an open approach towards these products, but banning them will revert the progress made. Restrictions should aim to keep the products fully available for adults while away from minors.”
