People in the UK born after 2009 will never be able to legally buy cigarettes again. The law aimed at gradually transforming the United Kingdom into a smoke-free country was passed by MPs with an overwhelming majority: 415 MPs voted in favor of taking the bill to the next stage of the legislative process, while 47 MPs voted against it. voted against.
Smoking, a vice that kills. Source: archive
It will be “the first generation without smoking in our country”, said the British health minister, Wes Streeting. Tobacco “in particular is addictive and extremely harmful,” the minister said, adding: “There is no freedom in addiction”. The Labor government, which came to power in July, thus resumed a proposal that was presented by the conservatives in April. But the calling of legislative elections at the beginning of July stopped the examination of the law in parliament. But London wants much more than that, namely to ban smoking in outdoor areas, such as children’s play areas, as well as near schools and hospitals.
The legislative draft provides for the prohibition of advertising for electronic cigarettes and the imposition of restrictions on their flavors and packaging. Labor already announced at the end of October that single-use e-cigarettes, in bright colors and with appetizing aromas, much appreciated by young people, will be banned from sale, starting from June 1, 2025.
Pulmonologist: “A difficult law to implement in our country”
In the current context in Romania, such a law would not have a high chance of being implemented and producing its effects, according to Dr. Adriana Sorete Arbore, primary pulmonologist at the Iași Pneumology Hospital. “We need to work on several fronts. First of all, we need to work on the mentality of Romanians, especially young people, who should be made responsible and educated in this regard from a young age. Because, forbidding a person to buy cigarettes, you only force him, in one way or another, to call on friends, relatives, acquaintances to go to the store in his place. And to buy in her name. And then to provide him with the product”, the doctor explained.
Then, the specialist also believes, such a ban could lead young people to other, perhaps even more serious, addictions. “I’m referring to other vices: if they don’t smoke classic cigarettes anymore, maybe they’d like to smoke drugs. One toxic habit can be replaced by another. Young people could feed their addiction by using other, even more dangerous substances.” The doctor admits, however, that an anti-smoking campaign is more than welcome. “But this law must be created after there is a consultation with psychologists, with experts in addictions. Let’s not do more harm than good.” And the family should have its contribution, but unfortunately, “children these days are less willing to listen to their parents. The influence of the outside is stronger, which is why a model coming from outside could work: young people to deliver a credible message to other young people”.
The pulmonologist believes that health education introduced in schools as a subject of study could make the difference between a sick and a healthy future generation. “Teachers should collaborate with specialists in the field, doctors, health experts and organize discussions with children. Even during the conducting class, we can talk about the harmful effects of smoking”. Adriana Sorete Arbore mentioned that smoking can trigger aggressive cancers. “Broncho-pulmonary cancer tumors that affect the tongue, lips, larynx, nasal passages. But also bladder cancer, a form of painful cancer, difficult to detect and treat”. Therefore, such a law would not work in Romania, at least not now. “Because we have a different education, a different culture, they are designed differently, much more ignorant and passive when it comes to health.”
Other countries, before the United Kingdom, also tried to implement a ban on smoking among young people. In 2022, New Zealand banned the sale of cigarettes to anyone born after 2008. But when they came to power at the end of 2023, the Conservatives dropped the measure.
