INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
by Sunak last year, would make it illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone born after January 1, 2009
If passed, the bill will give Britain some of the toughest anti-smoking measures in the world
year or younger will never be legally sold tobacco
year, every year until it is eventually illegal for the whole population.The bill also includes measures to crack down on youth vaping, such
as banning the sale of cheap disposable vapes and restricting their flavors to prevent children from becoming addicted to nicotine.It is
currently illegal for anyone to sell cigarettes or tobacco products and vapes to people under 18 years old throughout the U.K.Lawmakers
voted 383 to 67 to give the bill a second reading late Tuesday after an afternoon of debate
Although the bill was widely praised by health experts and had the support of the opposition Labour Party, Sunak faced rebellion from more
Cabinet minister, also opposed the bill.The plans were believed to have been inspired by similar policies proposed by New Zealand under
so in the future.The number of people who smoke in the U.K
according to official figures.Authorities say smoking causes some 80,000 deaths a year in the U.K, and remains the number one preventable
cause of death, disability and poor health.Source: Associated Press
-Agencies
