The United Kingdom is going to get strict with tobacco: this is the age ban that has just passed parliamentary procedure

The British Government has a plan to end tobacco: prohibit its consumption by all those born on or after January 1, 2009. This is a long-term plan and could begin to be implemented from 2027, when the “ “fifths” of the year begin to turn 18.

First parliamentary procedure. The new British anti-smoking law He passed his first procedure yesterday parliamentary. She did so supported by 383 votes in favor and 67 against.

57 of the latter They were issued by parliamentarians from the Conservative Party, the party to which the promoter of the measure, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, belongs.

No voting discipline. This is not a new rebellion in the conservative ranks: The party gave to his deputies freedom to vote. Conservative opponents of the measure include the last two Prime Ministers, Liz Truss and Boris Johnson.

What the law contemplates. The star measure of the new law involves a gradual ban on tobacco by age criteria. The law will increase the effective age to purchase tobacco year by year so that all those born in 2009 or later will not be able to smoke cigarettes.

The Government also contemplates investments worth 30 million pounds (about €35.2 million) to ensure compliance. In the future it is expected that fines (also contemplated in the law) can help finance part of the expense.

Star measure, but not the only one. The new law would also expand other restrictions on advertising, additives and flavors. It will also include limitations on vaporizers and other nicotine products.

Not so smokers. According to Parliament's own statisticsthe generation between 18 and 24 years old is one of the least smokers: 13.2% of men and 9.9% of women in this age range are smokers.

Only those over 65 smoke less (8.9% of men and 7.8% of women). In contrast, 18.9% of men between 25 and 34 years old smoke, in addition to 13.7% of women of that age.

Even so, it is estimated that tobacco costs the lives of about 80,000 people a year in the United Kingdom and causes losses worth 17 billion pounds (almost €20 billion). The promoters of the measure estimate that the law will prevent some 470,000 cases of cancer, heart disease, and other disorders.

Pioneering law, but not original. A few months ago it was the New Zealand Government that put this generational ban on tobacco consumption on the table. The United Kingdom could, however, be the first to implement it, since the legislation at the antipodes it was abandoned before approval.

In Xataka | You have time to quit smoking: if you do it before 35 you save yourself almost all the risk of dying

Image | Lauren Hurley/No 10 Downing Street / lil artsy