MOSCOW, April 22 — The UK parliament approved on Tuesday a bill banning cigarette sales to anyone born on January 1, 2009 and later, Sputnik/RIA Novosti reported.
The bill was approved by the House of Lords on Monday after it was passed by the House of Commons.
It will come into force after formal approval by King Charles, making the United Kingdom the first country to impose a smoking ban on an entire generation.
“It is a landmark bill. It will create a smoke-free generation,” UK Health Minister Gillian Merron said.
This is the most significant public health intervention in the lifetime of this generation, she added.
The bill also grants the government expanded powers to regulate the tobacco and vaping industries. Specifically, ministers will have expanded powers to regulate product packaging and determine acceptable nicotine levels and flavours.
