Alarming Statistics: How Will UK Bill Outlaw Smoking For Minors?

The United Kingdom Government is all set to introduce the new, 'Tobacco and Vapes Bill' in Parliament this week. While it is disappointing to know that a government needs to pass a bill in order to ban minors from smoking and using tobacco instead of using awareness campaigns only because the statistics are alarming. 

"Single Biggest Cause of Ill-Health: Smoking"

According to the UK-based ASH Organisation (Action on Smoking and Health), more than 2 lakh minors from the age of 11-15 start using tobacco or smoking in the UK. These numbers bewilder us on how lax the institutions have been in safeguarding children's health. This bill states that it will forbid minors, under the age of 15 from lawfully purchasing and smoking tobacco and vapes ever.

The Conservative Party's member and Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak made a statement regarding this bill, saying, “If we want to build a better future for our children we need to tackle the single biggest entirely preventable cause of ill-health, disability and death: smoking." While some politicians in legislation believe it is an "unconservative" move, it is expected to pass in majority in the Parliament. In India, too such a law exists where the legal consumption age for liquor, narcotic drugs or tobacco is prohibited for persons under the age of 18, while some states have the age limit to 21 or 22. 

The bill in the UK needs direct action and quick implementation to control the number of children and teenagers from consuming tobacco/ vapes. The Firstpost mentioned how smoking costs the United Kingdom's National Health Service and economy an estimated 17 billion pounds ($21.63 billion) a year. The page also mentioned how under this legislation the government would ensure that the marketing of vapes in the market is under control and surveillance, from the availability of their flavours to packaging and display to sensitize the youth against its harmful effects. 

This is a much-appreciated move and a necessary one too. With a country that legally still allows minors to smoke or use tobacco publicly, this bill might be what the teenagers need. Not only health issues but there are proven psychological and cognitive effects of using narcotic products that can severely harm children who are young and still developing.