The UK government has made multiple attempts to combat and reduce smoking prevalence in the UK over the last 20 years. In 2007, the legal age for the sale of tobacco products was raised from 16 to 18, which led to a reduction in the prevalence of childhood smoking. In 2006 the rate of 11 to 15 year olds who smoked was 9%, whereas of 2018 that figure was 2%. (12)

In July 2007, a smoking ban was imposed in England prohibiting the smoking of cigarettes in workplaces, pubs, restaurants, and other enclosed public spaces. Research from the British Medical Journal suggested that in the year following this ban, there were 1,200 fewer hospital admissions from heart attacks, with improved air quality and fewer people smoking cited as having the most impact on this reduction.

On 6 April 2012, the display of tobacco products was banned in shops that were larger than 280 square metres (3000 square feet). This was extended to include smaller retailers on 6 April 2015. In 2015 the House of Commons voted to pass the Childrens and Families Act 2014, giving the UK Government the power to require plain packaging for tobacco products.

Data suggests that these efforts have had the desired impact as the smoking rate across the UK has decreased dramatically from 24% of adults in 2005 to 12.9% in 2022. (13, 14)

At the time of writing, the UK government has announced plans to introduce legislation to regulate the display, packaging, and flavours of vapes to address the issues surrounding the marketing of vapes towards children. A ban on disposable vapes has also been announced, enforced by Trading Standards, to tackle the environmental impact of single use vapes and discourage children from vaping, as a large majority of children who vape primarily use disposable vapes. (15)

On 4 October 2023, the UK Prime Minister announced plans to create a smoke free generation by introducing legislation to ensure that the legal age to buy tobacco will rise by one year on 1 January 2027, and every year thereafter, meaning that people aged 14 today will never be able to legally buy tobacco products. (16)