Both chambers of Parliament of the United Kingdom have approved legislation that will prevent anyone aged 17 and under from ever purchasing cigarettes.
The Tobacco and Vapes Bill targets individuals born after 1 January 2009, effectively creating a generation that will never legally be able to take up smoking.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting described the move as a landmark step for public health, saying it would help create the first smoke-free generation and protect young people from long-term addiction and harm.
Once it receives royal assent, the law will empower the government to extend indoor smoking restrictions to certain outdoor areas, including playgrounds and spaces near schools and hospitals. It will also introduce tighter controls on vape flavours, packaging and usage in smoke-free zones.
The government introduced the bill as part of wider efforts to strengthen preventative healthcare and reduce pressure on the National Health Service.
Public health advocates, including Hazel Cheeseman of Action on Smoking and Health, have welcomed the legislation, describing it as a major turning point in tackling smoking-related harm.
The UK previously banned disposable vapes in 2025, targeting products popular among young people. Officials say smoking remains a leading cause of preventable deaths, accounting for around 75,000 fatalities annually in England.