King’s speech sets out UK’s ambitious plans for a smoke-free generation

King Charles III has announced in the king’s speech that the UK parliament will attempt to push through its moving tobacco barrier to prevent those born on or after 1st January 2009 from ever being able to buy cigarettes, while also taking action to curb youth vaping.

In his first king’s speech, king Charles set out the agenda put forward by Rishi Sunak’s Conservative government for the next year. In terms of public health and tobacco control, it provided confirmation that prime minister Sunak will push forward with ambitious plans to create the tobacco age gate.