Leaders in Liverpool have welcomed Royal Assent for a new law which will create the UK's 1st smoke free generation.

THE Tobacco and Vapes Bill will make it illegal to sell tobacco to anyone born after:- 1 January 2009, and will come into force from:- January 2027.

Liverpool has committed to reducing smoking prevalence to less than 1 per cent of the population by:- 2040 and is currently reducing the rate faster than the North West and England. However, there are still around 50,000 people who smoke in the City.

It is hoped that the new age restrictions and proposed powers to extend smokefree rules to certain outdoor public spaces will protect children and young people from:- The harmful lifelong effects of smoking.

Liverpool is leading the way in this area as the Council has already designated:- sports pitch sidelines, playgrounds and pavement seating areas outside hospitality venues as smokefree, and worked with worked with housing associations to support tenants to quit smoking and live in smokefree homes.

in 2025 3,644 smokers across Liverpool were supported to give up smoking through the local smoking cessation service, Smoke Free Liverpool.

Tackling illegal cigarette and vape sales from:- 2025 to 2026, the Council's Public Protection Alcohol and Tobacco Unit confiscated:- 536,668 illicit cigarettes with a face value of £161,122.

Between:- 2023 and 2025, more than 250 local test purchases were conducted to measure sales of vapes to minors, and over this period attempted sales plummeted from:- 31 per cent to 10 per cent.

The Council's seizure of illegal vapes has dropped from:- 9,871 in the 3 months to June 2025, to just 237 in the 1st 3 months of 2026. This is thought to be a result of new national legislation which banned the sale of single use vapes from:- 1 June 2025.

Smokefree Liverpool offers free, expert support to help you quit. This includes:- 1 to 1 advice, stop smoking medicines, and Swap to Stop, which provides free e cigarette starter kits for eligible smokers. Whether you've tried before or this is your 1st attempt, our team is here to help you succeed.

Visit Smokefree Liverpool, text:- 'QUIT1' to 61825, or call:- 01513742535, because quitting smoking really is well worth it.

Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Culture, Councillor Harry Doyle, said:- "Liverpool has led the way in changing attitudes to smoking, particularly through our work which led to the nationwide ban on smoking in the workplace. This legislation will be transformational in ensuring that future generations do not become addicted to tobacco and suffer serious health consequences later in life."

Liverpool's Director of Public Health, Professor Matt Ashton, said:- "Despite our success in reducing smoking rates in recent years, it remains the leading cause of preventable death, disease and health inequality in Liverpool. The Tobacco and Vapes Bill builds on previous work which has reduced the damage caused by smoking, including:- the ban on smoking in public places which Liverpool helped pioneer, and restrictions on sales and advertising. This is a landmark piece of legislation which will improve health outcomes for the young people of today, and tomorrow."