Britain is gearing up to implement strict measures to eradicate smoking, a leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the country. The government’s ambitious plan to create a smoke-free generation received approval from Parliament, despite opposition from some within the ruling Conservative Party who object to state intervention. The bill, known as the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, is set to raise the legal age for purchasing tobacco each year until reaching 18, with the goal of eliminating young people smoking by 2040.
Smoking is the largest preventable killer in the UK, causing a significant number of deaths annually. The new legislation aims to prevent hundreds of thousands of cases of various diseases by the end of the century. Additionally, the bill seeks to regulate vaping to discourage young people from taking up the habit. While the majority of the public supports the ban, some MPs argue it infringes on personal freedoms.
Similar smoking bans have been implemented in other countries, such as New Zealand, Portugal, Mexico, Canada, and India, with varying levels of success. These measures aim to reduce smoking-related deaths and promote public health by discouraging smoking in various ways.