The Tobacco and Vapes Bill has been introduced to parliament.
Under the Bill, children turning 15 this year or younger will never legally be able to be sold tobacco. The bill is designed to ensure that future generations are protected from the harmful impacts of smoking and save thousands of lives as well as billions of pounds for the NHS.
The bill will also introduce new powers to restrict vape flavours and packaging that is intentionally marketed at children. It will also change how vapes are displayed in shops, so they are out of sight of children and away from products that appeal to them, like sweets.
The prime minister, Rishi Sunak, said: "If we want to build a better future for our children we need to tackle the single biggest entirely preventable cause of ill health, disability and death: smoking.
"That is why, alongside new measures to curb the alarming rise in youth vaping, we are delivering on our commitment to create a smokefree generation and stop our kids from getting hooked on harmful cigarettes and other nicotine products.
"This important change will save thousands of lives and billions of pounds for our NHS, freeing up new resource than can be spent to improve outcomes for patients right across the UK."
Smoking is the UK’s single biggest preventable killer and costs the NHS and the economy an estimated £17 billion a year. The statistics show that 4 in 5 smokers start before the age of 20 and remain addicted for the rest of their lives. Someone is admitted to hospital every minute in England with a smoking-related condition.
Health and social care secretary, Victoria Atkins, said: "Smoking kills. It takes around 80,000 lives in the UK every year and causes 1 in 4 cancer-related deaths. It’s therefore only right we take robust action to protect future generations from these harmful products.
"Today is a significant milestone, representing the single biggest preventable health policy in a generation with a first-of-its-kind bill aimed at preventing our children and young people from falling prey to a lifetime of nicotine addiction.
"This landmark legislation will ensure generations to come will have healthier lives, while freeing up NHS capacity by removing the huge pressure caused by smoking-related illness."
Professor Chris Whitty, chief medical officer for England, said: "Smoking causes harm across the life course. This includes stillbirth, asthma, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, 15 different types of cancer, stroke and dementia.
"If passed, this will be a major public health measure which will reduce illness, disability and premature deaths for children today and future generations."
