Health bosses push for smoking law change

The new law would see the age at which people can buy tobacco products - currently 18 - increase by a year each year.

Health leaders have called for new smoking laws to be passed before a general election is called.

The Tobacco and Vapes Bill was announced by King Charles in his first King's Speech as monarch.

It would see the legal age at which people can buy tobacco products increase each year meaning those turning 15 this year would never be able to buy one.

Julia Weldon, the director of public health in Hull, said the bill is the "the most important change to public health in our lifetime".

Protecting children

The government announced plans to phase out cigarettes in England last year with the proposal receiving cross-party support.

A similar proposal introduced in New Zealand in 2022 has already been scrapped with the government there saying it would help to fund tax cuts.

But, four months after the announcement by the King, a new law still has not been passed in the UK.

Scott Crosby, associate director for the Humber and North Yorkshire Centre for Excellence in Tobacco Control, said: "Protecting our children from this harm is not just a moral imperative, it's an investment in our nation's future."

The Humber and North Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership claims 83% of smokers start before the age of 20.

It also said the area it covers has some of the highest smoking rates in the UK, compared with national averages.

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