Britain strives for a smoke-free generation

The bill will now go to the House of Lords before becoming law, making the UK one of the world's leading countries in tobacco control. (Source: UK Parliament)

The bill is one of the world's strictest anti-smoking laws, making smoking illegal for anyone born after January 1, 2009.

In an effort to curb youth use of e-cigarettes, the bill completely bans all advertising and sponsorship of e-cigarettes, including images that are visible to children and teens, such as on buses, in movie theaters and in store windows.

The bill also bans the sale of e-cigarettes in vending machines, where they are easily accessible to children, and places restrictions on e-cigarette flavors and packaging designed to appeal to young people.

The new law also bans the sale of all e-cigarette and nicotine products to people under 18. Free distribution of these products is also not allowed.

Under the bill, shops would need to be licensed to sell tobacco, e-cigarettes and nicotine products, and face an on-the-spot fine of £200 if they sell to underage consumers.

In addition to aiming to create a smoke-free generation, the bill also empowers the government to extend the current indoor smoking ban to some outdoor places, including children's playgrounds, outside schools and hospitals.

UK Health Secretary Wes Streeting said the number of children using e-cigarettes is increasing at an alarming rate, warning that without timely intervention, the country will have a generation of children addicted to the drug for life.