Butt out: U.K. proposes banning cigarettes for young people
Global News
If passed into law, the smoking age would rise by one year every year, potentially phasing out smoking among young people by 2040.
Britain’s government on Wednesday proposed banning younger generations from ever buying cigarettes, a move that would give the country some of the world’s toughest smoking rules and hurt the sales of major tobacco firms.
If passed into law, the smoking age would rise by one year every year, potentially phasing out smoking among young people almost completely as soon as 2040, a briefing paper said.
“A 14-year-old today will never legally be sold a cigarette,” Prime Minister Rishi Sunak told the Conservative Party conference, where he announced the plan.
Smoking costs Britain’s health services 17 billion pounds (C$28.4 billion) a year, he said, adding the government also needs to act on youth vaping.
It would consult on restricting the flavours and descriptions of vapes and look at regulating vape packaging and presentation, according to the briefing paper.
Campaign group Action on Smoking and Health welcomed Sunak’s plans, adding they could hasten the day when smoking becomes obsolete.
The tobacco industry criticized the proposals. The Tobacco Manufacturers Association said they were a “disproportionate attack” on adults’ rights and would fuel black market trade.
Costco has sued the U.S. government to ensure it will receive refunds if the Supreme Court rejects President Donald Trump's bid for sweeping authority to impose tariffs.
Footage of the incident, shared on social media, shows the man shimmying down a tree into the lion enclosure.
Initial tests showed it was up to code, but investigators later found seven failed safety standards, which officials said suggested contractors skimped to make greater profits.
The 2025 news cycle was 'dominated by social unrest, debates about the regulation of online content, and concerns over digital wellbeing,' OUP said while announcing the decision.
Lawmakers from both parties said Sunday they support congressional reviews of recent U.S. military strikes against vessels suspected of smuggling drugs.
Hundreds more are missing following flooding and landslides in the past week, which killed at least 604 people in Indonesia, 366 in Sri Lanka and 176 in Thailand, authorities said.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other U.S. officials held talks with a Ukrainian delegation to further hash out the details of a proposed peace framework.