UK Ban 2040...4 Oct 2023 15:06
UK to Ban Cigarette Sales to Young People Under New Law; London-listed Tobacco Stocks in Red
Oct 4, 202314:57 GMT+1
The UK government will introduce a new law that prohibits children aged 14 and below from buying cigarettes in England to phase out smoking among young people by as early as 2040.
As of mid-afternoon trading in London, shares of cigarette makers Imperial Brands
IMB
and British American Tobacco (
BATS
, BTI.JO) fell 2% and 1%, respectively.
The proposed legislation, which applies to anyone born on or after Jan. 1, 2009, is expected to boost the economy by up to 85 billion pounds sterling by 2075 and the health and care system's savings are expected to reach billions of pounds, according to a Wednesday release.
The government said the plan to create the first smoke-free generation will not criminalize smoking and is not expected to have any impact on individuals who can legally buy cigarettes now.