A quick guide to smoking bans across the world

Smoking bans were introduced throughout the UK in the 2000s

New Zealand plans to scrap its landmark smoking ban for young generations. This policy was thought to have inspired Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to introduce similar smoking restrictions in the UK.

While New Zealand's U-turn may lead to a set back for anti-smoking campaigns globally, there are still several countries getting ever tougher on tobacco. Here's what you need to know about global efforts to quit smoking.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak wants to create a "smoke-free generation"

Under the UK government's proposed legislation, anyone born since 2009 will never be able to legally buy cigarettes or any other tobacco product. The idea is to prevent future generations from smoking, as nine in 10 people say they started the habit before the age of 21, according to data from Cancer Research. The proposed law will not criminalise the act of buying tobacco and won't prevent older generations from being sold tobacco in future.

This policy is believed to have been inspired by New Zealand

New Zealand's previous government wanted to have a sweeping crackdown on smoking, passing a law which meant anyone born after 2008 would not be able to buy cigarettes or tobacco products in their lifetime. They also restricted where tobacco could be sold and reduced the level of nicotine (the addictive drug) in cigarettes. But, the new government (voted in from October 2023) are moving to repeal the law, saying it would help fund tax cuts.

Other countries are still hoping to raise "smoke-free generations"

Mexico has some of the strictest anti-smoking laws in the world, including smoking bans at beaches, parks and in some cases private homes. Portugal aims to have a "smoke-free generation" by 2040, and wants to pass a law that would stop bars, cafes and petrol stations from selling tobacco products. Canada is hoping to reduce tobacco use to less than 5% by 2035 and earlier this year, became the first country to rule that health warnings should be printed on individual cigarettes.

Today, over 70 countries have "smoke-free" policies that cover all indoor places

No smoking sign at a train station in Spain

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), over one quarter of the world's population are covered by complete smoking bans in public places, workplaces and public transport. In 2007, just 10 countries had "smoke-free policies". Today, it is 74. Ireland was the first country in the world to ban smoking in all indoor workplaces in 2004, including restaurants and bars.

In South America, citizens of every country are now covered by anti-smoking laws

In 2006, Uruguay became the first country in the region to adopt a "100% smoke-free national policy," says WHO. Measures included a ban on smoking in all enclosed public places and restrictions in some outdoor areas such as near hospitals and schools. In 2020, Paraguay became the last country in the region to pass national laws to create "smoke-free environments" - meaning its citizens can only use tobacco products in specific uncrowded open air spaces.

In the EU, several countries have anti-smoking measures but they vary greatly

The European Commission said there was a problem with getting people and authorities to actually follow anti-smoking measures in reality, with laws on paper often being ignored. Greece, Hungary, Ireland, the Netherlands, Romania and Spain have "strong" enforcement, according to Smoke Free Partnership, a group of European NGOs. However Cyprus, Czech Republic, Latvia, Poland and Slovakia are among countries that have limited protections, and even these are sometimes ignored.

In the UK, smoking has been banned in virtually all indoor places since 2007

The 2006 Health Act put an end to smoking in "enclosed or substantially enclosed" spaces - meaning workplaces, bars, restaurants or public transport became spaces free from smoke. In 2014, the Children and Families Act restricted smoking in cars carrying children. Today, smoking rates in the UK are at their lowest on record, according to government. However, around 6.4 million adults are still smokers.

By Rosemary McCabe and Text Formats