Public health leaders in Cheshire have welcomed the move to create the UK's first smoke-free generation.

The Tobacco and Vapes Bill was given Royal Assent on Wednesday, April 29, making it illegal for people born on or after January 1, 2009, to ever legally be sold tobacco products.  

Coming into force from January 2027, the landmark law will also introduce tougher controls on vape advertising and access for young people and, subject to consultation, will allow smoke-free rules to be extended to places such as playgrounds, schools and hospitals. 

Dr Sarah McNulty, lead director of public health for Cheshire and Merseyside's All Together Smoke Free programme, said: "This moment will go down in history as the point we begin creating the country's first smoke-free generation.

"For more than two years we have worked tirelessly to see this Bill become law, because we know that every day around 350 young people aged 18 to 25 across the UK start smoking. Action was needed to break that cycle. Today's decision will help ensure the next generation does not face the lifelong harms and regrets caused by smoking.

"Public support for these changes has been strong throughout, with around two-thirds of adults backing the legislation. Now it is vital that we work closely with retailers and communities to make sure the new rules are understood and successfully introduced."

Among the provisions of the Bill, there will be stricter control over advertising and promotion of tobacco, vapes and other products (Credit: Pixabay)

According to research, two in three smokers will have their lives cut short by smoking, with 74,600 lives across Cheshire and Merseyside being lost to smoking-related illnesses every single year. 

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It is hoped the new age restrictions and proposed powers to extend smoke-free rules to certain outdoor public spaces will protect children and young people from the harmful lifelong effects of smoking. 

Prof. Ian Ashworth, director of population health for NHS Cheshire and Merseyside, said: "We are still losing lives every day to illnesses caused by smoking that are entirely preventable, which is why this Bill matters so much. 

"Tobacco is uniquely harmful, no other consumer product kills two thirds of its long-term users. By stopping future generations from ever being able to legally buy tobacco, this legislation will protect young people from starting to smoke and help prevent the devastating harms smoking causes.

"We have already made significant progress in reducing smoking across Cheshire and Merseyside in recent years, and these changes will help us go further and faster towards creating a smoke-free generation. We want to see a future where smoking no longer harms our communities, and this legislation puts us firmly on the path to achieving that."