The Tobacco and Vapes Bill has cleared both houses of Parliament and now awaits royal assent. It will raise the effective age of sale by one year every year, meaning children who are 17 or younger today will never be able to buy cigarettes legally in the UK. The measure also strengthens the government’s powers over vaping and other nicotine products, including advertising, displays, flavors and packaging. Smoking remains a leading cause of preventable death in the UK.