“This has the potential to phase out smoking in young people almost completely as early as 2040,” it added, calling the move “historic.”
The statement said the government also planned to bring in measures to restrict young people from vaping.
This could include restricting disposable vapes and regulating flavours and packaging to reduce their appeal to children, Downing Street added.
Health experts welcomed the announcement.
A Professor of Respiratory Medicine, Imperial College, London, Nick Hopkinson, called it “an important step to protect children and young people from getting hooked on smoking.
“Government needs to move swiftly and get this measure in place as soon as possible,” he urged.
Members of Parliament would need to approve the proposals in parliament, with Sunak saying they would not be pressured on how to vote.
Cancer Research UK’s chief executive, Michelle Mitchell, said the prime minister “will deserve great credit for putting the health of UK citizens ahead of the interests of the tobacco lobby.
“We urge all MPs to support the legislation so the UK government can swiftly raise the age of sale,” she added.
AFP
