Both houses of the British Parliament have approved a bill banning the sale of tobacco products and e-cigarettes to citizens born on or after January 1, 2009, as reported by The Guardian.

The bill is expected to be signed into law by King Charles III next week. It also empowers the government to tighten existing smoking restrictions in public places, including playgrounds, school grounds, and hospital premises.

Additionally, the bill bans advertising of e-cigarettes and nicotine products targeting minors. Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting stated, “Prevention is always better than cure. This reform will save lives, reduce the burden on the National Health Service, and make the UK healthier.”

According to the publication, smoking causes 400,000 hospitalizations and 64,000 deaths annually in England alone. The National Health Service spends £3 billion per year treating tobacco-related diseases, including cancer and heart disease.

Source: kun.uz