UK Passes "Lifetime Tobacco Ban for Those Born After 2009"?Will It Work in Korea Too?

As the UK Parliament has passed a bill permanently banning the sale of tobacco to those born after January 1, 2009, discussions on introducing a generation-blocking smoking cessation policy are heating up in Korea as well. Unlike previous approaches that only adjusted the legal smoking age, this law aims to nurture an entire generation as non-smokers. It is being hailed as a major shift in public health policy.

The UK Parliament has passed a bill permanently banning the sale of tobacco to those born after January 1, 2009, igniting discussions on introducing generation-blocking smoking cessation policies in Korea as well. Photo by Pixabay

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On April 24, Yonhap News, citing an announcement from the Korea Center for Tobacco Regulation and Education, reported that the UK House of Lords and House of Commons reached a final agreement on the "Tobacco and Vapes Bill" on April 20. As a result of this bill, anyone who is currently 17 years old or younger will not be able to legally purchase tobacco in the UK even after reaching adulthood. However, those born before 2009 will still be able to purchase tobacco as before. The intention is to minimize conflicts with the rights of existing smokers while cutting off the new generation from tobacco as they become adults, thereby reducing the smoking population in the long term.

The bill was first introduced on November 5, 2024 and, after deliberation in both the House of Lords and House of Commons, completed all parliamentary procedures when the House of Lords approved the amendments from the Commons on April 20. Now, only royal assent remains. The law is scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2027. Anyone selling tobacco or making proxy purchases in violation of the age restriction will be subject to an immediate fine of 200 pounds, approximately 400,000 won.

Wes Streeting, UK Health Secretary. Photo by Reuters Yonhap News

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The UK government considers smoking to be the leading preventable cause of death in the country. According to UK statistics, around 80,000 people die every year from tobacco-related diseases, and smokers account for about 25% of all cancer deaths. The economic losses from related treatments and social costs are estimated at 21.8 billion pounds annually, roughly 36 trillion won.

Wes Streeting, UK Secretary of State for Health, described the completion of the parliamentary process for the bill as a "historic moment for public health," adding, "Children in the UK will become the first non-smoking generation, protected for life from addiction and harm." He continued, "Prevention is better than cure," and stated, "This reform will save lives, ease the burden on the National Health Service (NHS), and help build a healthier UK."

Domestic tobacco control organizations are also closely watching the UK's example. The Korea Center for Tobacco Regulation and Education stated on April 22, "This legislation is significant in that it goes beyond simple regulation and focuses on prevention-oriented policies to protect future generations from smoking and nicotine addiction." The center added, "With youth smoking and e-cigarette use emerging as social problems, the UK case presents a new direction in public health policy. As Korea faces similar issues, it is time for more active policy discussions."

Lee Sungkyu, head of the Korea Center for Tobacco Regulation and Education, cited the position of the UK Department of Health, stating, "There is no freedom in addiction, and it is our duty to protect the next generation." He emphasized, "Given the countless deaths worldwide due to smoking, we can no longer leave smoking solely as a matter of personal choice," and argued, "Korea should also consider bold legislative action, as the UK has done."

After news of the UK bill was conveyed, opinions for and against it have been divided on domestic online communities and social networking services. Pixabay

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Furthermore, Lee stated, "Strong tobacco regulation is not about taking away personal freedom, but about creating a social safety net to prevent future generations from falling into addiction." He added, "I hope the UK's decision will serve as an impetus for policy changes in Korea, such as amending the School Health Act, to better protect future generations. To create a next generation free from addiction, the government and political circles must make bold decisions and bipartisan cooperation that go beyond the tobacco industry's lobbying."

If a generation-blocking smoking cessation law is pursued in Korea, controversy is inevitable. Not only is backlash from the tobacco industry expected, but there is also likely to be criticism from smokers that such a law infringes on individual choices. In fact, there was fierce opposition in Korea even to the proposed tobacco tax increase included in the National Health Promotion Comprehensive Plan. At the time, the Ministry of Health and Welfare responded by clarifying, "This is not currently under review."

After news of the UK bill was announced, opinions have been divided on domestic online communities and social networking services. Supporters said, "We need to introduce this policy in Korea to reduce the harm of secondhand smoke," and "Reducing tobacco nationwide is welfare for future generations." Many parents of young children, in particular, voiced that "stronger regulations are necessary to address the problem of smoking in public places."

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On the other hand, opponents raised concerns over infringement of individual choice and the potential for illegal distribution. One smoker argued, "It's excessive for the state to control even adults' personal consumption," and claimed, "Banning policies could ultimately fuel the black market and illegal distribution." Another commenter pointed out, "It's contradictory to collect tobacco taxes while blocking sales."

Questions have also been raised about the effectiveness of the policy. Some commenters asked, "Will smoking really disappear just because tobacco sales are banned?" and argued, "With e-cigarettes, alternative smoking products, and illegal products continuing to appear, simply restricting purchases is limited in its impact." Some especially criticized the direction of Korea's tobacco policy, saying, "The UK is creating a smoke-free generation for public health, while Korea only repeats discussions about raising cigarette prices," and argued, "Practical health promotion policies should take priority over tax revenue." With such sharply divided opinions, legislative discussions on protecting future generations from tobacco and nicotine addiction are expected to intensify in Korean society as well.

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