World

Rishi Sunak Wants To Increase The Legal Smoking Age Each Year

In an effort to outlaw smoking for future generations, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak wants to gradually raise the smoking age. In order to ensure that “a 14-year-old today would never legally be sold a cigarette,” Sunak stated at the Conservative Party convention in Manchester on Wednesday that the age would rise by one year each year. Along with limiting their availability, the government intends to examine the flavors and packaging of disposable vapes.

The UK parliament would need to adopt the idea, and Sunak stated that the vote would be free and that the lawmakers’ choice would be “a matter of conscience.” According to Sunak, smoking costs the NHS £17 billion ($20.7 billion) year, and the decision would assist the UK reach its objective of becoming smoke-free by 2030.

Imperial Brands Plc’s stock dropped as much as 4.3% in London, making it the largest cigarette retailer in the UK. British American Tobacco Plc had a 1.9% decline, with the majority of its sales coming from countries outside than Britain.

Although the UK wouldn’t be the first, the bill would be among the most strident anti-smoking laws in the world. A rule banning the sale of cigarettes to anybody born after 2008 was passed in New Zealand last year. In the UK, 18 is currently the minimum age to purchase cigarettes.

The tobacco industry is vying to provide substitutes like vapes, gadgets that heat tobacco and oral nicotine. Given that one in five children use vaping goods, Sunak argued that the UK must “act before vaping becomes endemic.”

Also read: Akshata Murty’s Showstopping Moment: Her Memorable Appearance On Rishi Sunak’s Stage

British American Tobacco stated that it supported “the government’s ambition to further reduce smoking rates,” but added that this would make it more difficult for law enforcement to implement existing tobacco control regulations.

Kavya Bhatt

Recent Posts

Effective Measures To Reduce Belly Fat

Excess abdominal fat increases the likelihood of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and other chronic…

41 mins ago

Pakistan’s Digital Frontline: Jokes, Memes And Savage Self-Roasts

While tensions between India and Pakistan escalate post the tragic Pahalgam terror attack, something unexpected…

10 hours ago

Reliance Industries Q4 Net Profit Rises 6.4% As Retail And Digital Units Offset Energy Weakness

Reliance Industries delivered a strong Q4 FY25 performance, with Y-o-Y net profit rising 6.4% to…

11 hours ago

Yash Pratap Singh And Mehak Jaiswal Top UP Board Exams With Outstanding Scores

Yash Pratap Singh of Jalaun tops Class 10 with 97.83%, while Prayagraj’s Mehak Jaiswal secures…

11 hours ago

Yogi Adityanath Calls For Reforms To Make Madrasa Education Modern And Employment-Oriented

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday emphasised the need for sweeping reforms in the madrasa…

12 hours ago

Tulsi Gabbard Backs India’s Hunt For Pahalgam Terror Attack Perpetrators

United States Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Tulsi Gabbard on Friday expressed strong support for…

12 hours ago