Ex-PM hails landmark tobacco ban

THE new law preventing children aged 17 or younger from ever legally buying cigarettes means the UK is “on track to end smoking within a generation”, a former prime minister has said.

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Rishi Sunak, who introduced the legislation during his tenure at Number 10, said that the Tobacco and Vapes Act will save an “enormous” number of lives.

The legislation, which is designed to stop this generation of children from ever taking up smoking, has gone through its final hurdle and been given royal assent, making it UK law.

Health campaigners have hailed the new law as a “watershed moment” in public health.

Mr Sunak said: “I’m absolutely delighted that the smoke-free generation policy is now going to be on the statute books.