In a historic move, the UK government is set to introduce legislation preventing children who turn 14 or younger this year from legally purchasing cigarettes in England. The proposed law aims to raise the smoking age by a year annually until it encompasses the entire population, with the potential to create a smoke-free generation by 2040.
This groundbreaking initiative responds to the highly addictive nature of smoking, with 4 in 5 smokers initiating the habit before the age of 20. By preventing young people from ever starting to smoke, the government aims to shield an entire generation from the health risks associated with smoking.
