'Historic' alert issued by Sir Chris Whitty in new UK tobacco and vape update

Sir Chris Whitty has shared news of a major change across the UK, which has been described as 'historic'. The professor, who is Chief Medical Officer (CMO) for England, the UK government's Chief Medical Adviser and head of the public health profession, took to social media to issue an update in a lengthy thread about the landmark change. It comes as the Tobacco and Vapes Bill has received Royal Assent, paving the way for "the first smoke-free generation" by making it illegal to sell tobacco to anyone born on or after January 1, 2009. The government says future generations "will now be saved from the harms of smoking " as the Bill becomes law. Coming into force from January 2027, the NHS says: "Changes are designed to break the cycle of addiction and prevent smoking-related illness, marking a major step towards creating the UK’s first smoke-free generation". According to research, two in three smokers will have their lives cut short by the habit. This world-leading legislation means today's children will never legally be sold cigarettes, breaking the cycle of addiction and disadvantage that has persisted for decades. Smoking remains the leading preventable cause of death, responsible for around 80,000 deaths a year in the UK, and is a major driver of cancer, heart disease and stroke. It also places a significant burden on the NHS and wider economy. Taking to X to share an update with the British public, Sir Chris Whitty said: "The Tobacco and Vapes Act has now received Royal Assent and becomes law. Smoking has killed and disabled millions of people. Most smokers wish they had never started, but are trapped by addiction to nicotine- addiction takes their choice away. "Smoking increases the risk of bad pregnancy outcomes, stroke, heart disease, lung diseases, dementia, limb amputations and many cancers. This Act, which has wide public support, will create a smoke-free generation. "Smoking in younger age groups has reduced significantly over the last decade (change in prevalence below). The Act will accelerate this. Some bits of industry are clearly marketing vapes to children. This is utterly unacceptable and risks creating lifelong dependence." He went on to say this week’s YouGov polling shows the majority (64%) of the population want smoking to be banned either entirely, or phased out. "Only 22% currently oppose", he added. "There is strong support for stopping smoking from every age group, area of the country and social group." Under the Act, Sir Chris Whitty says a generation will grow up without the substantial harm and disability caused by smoking. "Second-hand smoke also causes significant harm", he said. "Smoking around schools, playgrounds and hospitals will be banned to protect children and medically vulnerable adults." He continued: "Vapes are safer than smoking and can help smokers quit, but if you don’t smoke don’t vape, and marketing of vapes to children is completely unacceptable. The Act will restrict marketing of vapes at children using packaging, colours, flavours and shopfront displays. "The most deprived areas have worse health outcomes. Smoking is a major cause of this. Most smoking-associated cancers (red arrows below) are highest in areas of deprivation. This Act will reduce the health difference between wealthy and deprived areas." Michelle Mitchell, Chief Executive Officer at Cancer Research UK, said: "This is a truly historic achievement that will help to save and improve lives. With the new law in place, we are moving towards a future where children will grow up shielded from the life-long harms of tobacco. It will mean more people living a life free from the grip of deadly addiction, fewer people facing a cancer diagnosis and less pressure on an already overstretched health service. "Today’s milestone is the result of decades of research, overwhelming support in Parliament, tireless campaigning and backing from people whose lives have been devastated by smoking. Governments across the UK must now ensure the act is implemented fully in every nation, alongside support to help people quit smoking. A future free from the lethal harms of tobacco is firmly within reach." Dr Claire Fuller, NHS England National Medical Director, said: "This legislation is a major step forward in tackling one of England’s biggest public health challenges. The NHS will support the bill’s ambition by providing advice and treatment to help hundreds of thousands of people stop smoking - and we will work with our local authority partners to reduce tobacco-related disease among future generations."