In the United Kingdom, ending smoking is possible but requires sustained effort.

The British "Tobacco and Vapes Bill" marks a new stage in the policy to combat smoking[1], The UK was the third country in the world to introduce a generational ban on tobacco sales, after New Zealand25 and the Maldives, although the current New Zealand government, which has close ties to the tobacco industry, has since abolished it. The main provision of the British legislation aimed to gradually prohibit the sale of all tobacco products to people born on or after January 1st.^er January 2009. As the legal selling age increases, future generations should be permanently protected from starting to smoke. This "tobacco-free generation" represents one of the most ambitious strategies ever adopted to reduce smoking and builds on decades of public policy that have brought prevalence down to historically low levels. However, researchers in London warn that further efforts are needed, particularly in terms of sustained political commitment, resources dedicated to smoking cessation, and protection of the most vulnerable populations.

A call to guarantee the effective implementation of the reform

Available models suggest that restricting access to tobacco for younger generations could lead to a significant decrease in smoking prevalence in the long term. Experiences in several countries, particularly with raising the legal sales age, also indicate that this type of measure can reduce smoking initiation among adolescents and young adults.

The effectiveness of the law will depend, however, on its implementation and enforcement. Compliance with the rules by retailers, controls, and penalties for illegal sales will be essential. The British government will be able to rely on new tools to combat illicit trade, as well as the possibility of creating a compulsory licensing system for retailers of tobacco, vaping, and other nicotine products, with fines, suspension, or even revocation of licenses for violations. The authors believe that the arguments claiming the reform would inevitably lead to an expansion of the black market, including sales to people born after 2008, come primarily from the tobacco industry. They nevertheless emphasize that the authorities will need to maintain sufficient investment in monitoring and enforcement to mitigate this risk and preserve the credibility of the system.

The need to not leave behind current smokers and disadvantaged populations

Furthermore, the reform primarily targets future generations and does not directly address the needs of the more than five million adults who currently smoke in the UK. These individuals will continue to be exposed to the risks associated with smoking without appropriate and sustainable cessation policies.

Smoking remains particularly prevalent among the most disadvantaged population groups. It thus contributes significantly to social inequalities in health. A policy focused on younger generations could therefore reduce smoking in the long term, while allowing significant disparities between social classes to persist in the short to medium term.

In this context, the authors call for continued funding for smoking cessation support, particularly targeting populations where prevalence remains high. Equitable access to effective cessation support services must remain a priority.

Using reform as a lever to strengthen prevention

The way the reform is explained to the public will also influence its acceptance and effectiveness. The authors further warn against the risk of the law being perceived as the conclusion of anti-smoking policy. According to them, it should instead be presented as a major step, requiring continued prevention, regulation, and cessation support.

The new legislation will also provide an opportunity to remind the public of the dangers of smoking and encourage smokers to quit. This was observed during the adoption and implementation of the smoking ban in public places in England in 2007.

The authors specifically recommend strengthening smoking cessation services and targeting the population groups most affected by tobacco use. Scientific monitoring is necessary to assess the results and any potential adverse effects of the reform. The UK's existing monitoring and evaluation systems could provide valuable data. to other countries considering a smoking cessation strategy.

Finally, they call for protecting public policies from the behavior of industry and for requiring industry to bear the costs of the damage it causes through its activities and products. Among the solutions suggested is the creation of a financial contribution imposed on tobacco manufacturers according to the "polluter pays" principle«.

The issue of phasing out tobacco use and generational bans, now adopted by countries like the United Kingdom, is being discussed in many countries. France, which has significantly reduced its smoking prevalence among young people, also aims to achieve a tobacco-free generation by 2032. Furthermore, Green Party MP Nicolas Thierry presented a cross-party bill aimed at banning the sale of tobacco to people born on or after January 1st^er January 2014, with the support of anti-tobacco NGOs united within the Contre-Feu alliance. Just recently, The national health insurance system, with the support of Health Minister Stéphanie Rist, has expressed its support for a tobacco-free generation for people born after 2009.. In France, tobacco still kills 68,000 people per year and costs the health system 156 billion euros per year.

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[1]Jackson S., Cheeseman H., Brown J., The UK's Tobacco and Vapes Act puts the end of smoking within reach, but the job is not done, The Lancet Regional Health – Europe, published on July 14, 2026, accessed on August 17, 2026

National Committee Against Smoking |