Less than 100 days to go until new tobacco law changes who can buy cigarettes
A major change to tobacco sales is less than 100 days away with retailers across Wakefield being urged to get ready.
From January 1, 2027, it will be illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone born on or after January 1, 2009.
The new rules are part of Government plans to create a smokefree generation, with the legal age for buying tobacco increasing by one year every year.
That means the change will gradually phase out the legal sale of tobacco to younger generations across the UK.
Wakefield Council is now calling on retailers, enforcement agencies and local organisations to make sure they are prepared before the new law comes into force.
Steve Turnbull, the council’s director of public health, said the changes offered an opportunity to prevent young people from becoming addicted to smoking.
He said: “This gives us the opportunity to break the cycle and protect future generations from the devastating harms of smoking.
“With less than 100 days to go, retailers, local authorities and enforcement agencies must work together to prepare for these changes and ensure the new law is properly implemented and enforced across our district.”
The Government estimates the measures could protect around four million young people across the UK from tobacco over the next five years.
Retailers are being urged to familiarise themselves with the new rules ahead of the January deadline.
For more information about the legislation, visit Tobacco and Vapes Bill becomes law on GOV.UK.
Anyone in the Wakefield district looking for help to stop smoking can contact Yorkshire Smokefree on 01924 252174.