A gradual smoking ban is among 18 new laws proposed by the Labour government which are set to extend to Northern Ireland.
The law is part of Labour’s legislative plan which was revealed by King Charles in speech at the State Opening of Parliament on Wednesday July 17.
Is this a new bill?
The bill was initially proposed by Rishi Sunak’s Conservative government but despite cross-party support it did not pass before Parliament shut down for the general election.
While the measures have received some criticism aiming for aiming to “limit people’s freedom”, it has been welcomed by health officials and charities.
Will it apply to Northern Ireland automatically?
The gradual ban is part of a list of bills released in a parliamentary statement by the new secretary of state, Hillary Benn.
The legal smoking age is a devolved issue, so the Assembly sets its own laws around it.
But Mr Benn said the Labour government would “work collaboratively with the Northern Ireland Executive to secure the legislative consent of the Assembly where appropriate”.
What is in the Tobacco and Vapes Bill?
The bill will make it illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone born after January 1 2009, which covers children who are currently 15 or younger.
The legislation would not ban smoking outright as anyone who can legally buy tobacco now will be able to continue to do so if the bill becomes law.
But it would effectively raise the legal age for buying cigarettes by one year every year, until it applies to the whole population.
Will it apply to vaping?
It has already been announced that the sale and supply of single use vapes is to be banned in Northern Ireland by April next year.
Environment minister Andrew Muir said the ban was being introduced in a bid to stop five million single use vapes being thrown away or littered every week across the UK.
If adopted by the Assembly the new bill will also restrict vape products, limiting children’s ability to access them, including restrictions on flavours and regulating how they are advertised to make them less appealing to children.
Are there any similar bans around the world?
Measures in the Bill would constitute some of the toughest anti-smoking measures in the world.
The plans are believed to have been inspired by a sweeping crackdown planned by New Zealand’s previous government.
However, the county’s new Government has moved to repeal the law after winning power in October 2023, saying it would help fund tax cuts.