2023-11-08 04:58:51 ET
The U.K. government will introduce legislation that will raise the legal age for smoking cigarettes every year, King Charles III confirmed at the state opening of the Parliament.
The major crackdown, proposed by U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak last month, would effectively create the first smoke-free generation in the U.K.
The proposed law would ensure that children currently aged 14 or younger can never be sold cigarettes, and will restrict the sale and marketing of e-cigarettes to children.
Meanwhile, the U.K. government's public consultation on its plan to reduce the availability of vapes to children have garnered over 12K responses, showing public support for the plan. The public consultation will close on December 6.
The U.K. government, which is committed to making England smoke-free by 2030, has allocated £70M for local stop-smoking services - more than double the current funding available for these services.
Leading tobacco companies in the U.K. are Imperial Brands ( OTCQX:IMBBY ), Japan Tobacco ( OTCPK:JAPAF ), British American Tobacco ( BTI ), Philip Morris International ( PM ), and Scandinavian Tobacco ( OTCPK:SNDVF ).
More on U.K. smoking ban
- Tobacco stocks may be tested if U.K. youth smoking ban gains steam
- U.K. Prime Minister proposes rules to create smoking-free generation
- Tobacco earnings preview: Investors look to play the long game
For further details see:
King Charles confirms plan for youth smoking ban in U.K.