The UK’s generational tobacco ban might not work. I’m supporting it anyway.
The UK has implemented a generational tobacco ban, prohibiting the sale of tobacco to anyone born after 2009, despite uncertainty regarding its long-term effectiveness. The author supports the measure as a cultural shift, even while acknowledging political opposition and the lack of empirical evidence for such 'endgame' strategies.
Why it matters
This policy represents a radical shift in public health strategy, moving from harm reduction to total elimination, which serves as a test case for other nations.
Tobacco bans are starting to look a lot less radical, despite a lack of evidence.
The author explicitly supports the ban while acknowledging the lack of evidence, reflecting a progressive public health stance.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in