Britain's push for a 'smoke-free generation': Rishi Sunak's smoking ban passes overwhelmingly

According to euronews on April 16, the British government voted overwhelmingly on Tuesday (16) in favor of British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's plan to introduce a landmark smoking ban.

British Conservative Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced the Tobacco and E-Cigarette Bill last year, which would ban the sale of tobacco products to anyone born after 2009. On Tuesday (16), the bill was passed by 383 votes to 67. The opposition Labor front bench expressed support for the plan, but 57 Conservative MPs voted against it.

Under the bill, children aged 15 or under will never be able to legally purchase tobacco products this year. The legal age to buy cigarettes in the UK will be raised by one year each year until smoking is banned for all. The bill also includes measures to crack down on youth use of e-cigarettes, such as banning the sale of low-priced disposable e-cigarettes and restricting their flavors to prevent children from becoming addicted to nicotine. It is currently illegal to sell cigarettes, tobacco products and e-cigarettes to anyone under 18 in the UK.

Authorities said the bill would create the UK's first "smoke-free generation".

The bill will now go to committee stage for more detailed scrutiny.