STORY: Britain is a step closer to introducing some of the world's strictest anti-smoking rules after lawmakers on Tuesday overwhelmingly backed the Tobacco and Vapes Bill.

...the bill moves to the next parliamentary stage as lawmakers push for a smoke-free generation by banning anyone born after 2009 from ever buying cigarettes.

Speaking in parliament, Health Secretary Wes Streeting emphasized the bill's potential to significantly improve public health.

"Smoking takes 80,000 lives a year, causes one in four deaths from cancer in England, a hospital admission almost every minute, 100 GP appointments an hour. It is the leading cause of sickness, disability and death in our country, and today, members in this House can consign it to the history books."

The bill also targets vaping with measures to ban advertising and the sale of vapes in vending machines, as well as restricting packaging and flavors that appeal to children and young people, like bubble gum and cotton candy.

While supporters call it a historic step for public health, the bill also faces criticism.

Conservative lawmaker Andrew Rosindell raised concerns about civil liberties:

"When they banned tobacco in South Africa during the COVID pandemic, 95% of the trade went underground. Surely we should be promoting the concept of freedom with responsibility and allowing people to make choices about their own lives?"

The bill will next move to the committee stage before heading to the House of Lords and, if passed, could extend the existing indoor smoking ban to outdoor areas like playgrounds and school grounds.

Britain banned smoking in most enclosed public spaces, including bars and workplaces, in 2007.