Directors of Public Health across the South West of England have today welcomed Royal Assent of the Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026, describing it as a once-in-a-generation moment in the fight against the leading cause of preventable death in the region.
The new Act, which introduces a generational ban on the sale of tobacco to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009 new powers to create further smoke-free places, a UK-wide ban on vape advertising and sponsorship, and a licensing scheme for retailers of tobacco and nicotine products, received Royal Assent on 29 April 2026 The generational age-of-sale provisions are expected to come into force from 1 January 2027.
In February 2026, the Directors of Public Health of the South West, alongside their Council Leaders, wrote jointly to the Minister for Public Health and Prevention, urging the Government to ensure the Bill’s swift and undiluted passage through its final Parliamentary stages. Today’s announcement means that call has been answered.
A moment for 60,000 people in Somerset to quit smoking
While the new law will help protect future generations from taking up smoking, public health leaders in Somerset are urging the around 60,000 adults in the county who currently smoke to use this moment as an opportunity to quit.
Smokefree Somerset offers free, local support to help people stop smoking, including specialist advice, medication to deal with the cravings, and access to a smokefree app. More than 2,000 people in Somerset quit smoking last year, and health leaders hope many more will take their next quit attempt this year.
The latest NHS data shows that momentum is already building: nearly 26,000 people in the South West pledged to stop smoking in the year to March 2025, up from around 15,000 the year before and 13,500 of them had not smoked a cigarette four weeks into their quit attempt, a 79% increase on the previous year.
Alison Bell, Director of Public Health & Centre Director HDRC Somerset, said: “This is a truly historic moment for public health. England is leading the way in protecting children and young people from the harms of tobacco, and the Tobacco and Vapes Act marks a clear turning point. For the first time, it is no longer a question of if smoking will end, but when.
“Smoking has taken so many lives across Somerset over the last 50 years, and preventing the harm it causes is one of the greatest protections we can give future generations. However, this moment is not only about protecting those to come. Around 60,000 people in Somerset still smoke, and it is vital that we use this opportunity to accelerate support for people who smoke now to quit.
“With free, local support available through Smokefree Somerset, we want to make it as easy as possible for people to take that first step. A smokefree future should be inclusive of everyone, whatever your age. Whether you’re 70 or 17, now is the time to be part of a smokefree future.”
How to get free help to quit smoking
People who smoke in Somerset can access free support through Smokefree Somerset.
- Website: www.smokefreesomerset.org.uk
- Phone: 01823 356222. (9am to 5pm)
- Email: [email protected]
- Smoke Free App – Subscription Activation Free to download from the Apple App Store and Google Play, offering daily support and tracking of savings and health improvements.
Somerset public health team work closely with council, NHS, trading standards and voluntary sector to help support more people to quit smoking and prevent people taking up smoking.
