The UK has now passed a bill to ban everyone born after 2008 from ever buying tobacco products.
It's been a long time coming, but in what is being described as a 'historic' moment, the final draft of the landmark Tobacco and Vapes Bill completed its journey through the Houses of Commons and Lords yesterday (21 April 2026), and is now on its way to receiving royal assent to officially become the law.
For those unfamiliar, the Tobacco and Vapes Bill will stop people who were born on or after 1 January 2009 from ever taking up smoking.
It will also give Government ministers new powers to regulate tobacco, vaping, and nicotine products – including their flavours and packaging, which make them more appealing to younger generations.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting has hailed the bill's passing as a 'historic moment for the nation's health' on the road to creating a smoke-free generation.
The UK has passed a bill to ban everyone born after 2008 from smoking / Credit: Pxhere
"Children in the UK will be part of the first smoke-free generation, protected from a lifetime of addiction and harm," Mr Streeting said after the bill was passed this week.
"Prevention is better than cure. This reform will save lives, ease pressure on the NHS, and build a healthier Britain."
The ban on purchasing tobacco products for those born after 2008 was first mooted by Rishi Sunak's Conservative Government a number of years back, but was eventually shelved ahead of the 2024 General Election, and then revived again by Labour when they took power.
The bill's passing parliament has been welcomed by charities and campaign groups - most notably Cancer Research UK.
"This is a historic achievement that will shield our children from the devastating grip of tobacco addiction and help to put an end to cancers caused by smoking," concluded Michelle Mitchell, who is the Chief Executive Officer at Cancer Research.
Featured Image - Credit: Lil Artsy (via Pexels)
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Leeds rallies around independent wine bar after thieves smash windows to steal… an empty bottle
An independent wine bar in Leeds city centre was broken into over the weekend.
And do you know what the sneaky thief stole? An empty bottle.
Latitude Wine Bar on The Calls issued a statement about the break in over the weekend, they said: "Some unscrupulous ______________ (insert expletives in the comments) decided to smash our window last night to grab a magnum of chartreuse out of our window.
"Obviously it was a dummy bottle, so more fool them, but it also makes this criminal damage more pointless. DON'T THEY KNOW HOW MUCH GLASS COSTS!?
"Well, this puts a real dampener on the month so if any one feels like popping in to buy a bottle in the shop or a glass in the bar or heading online to place an order this weekend it would really help to support an independent wine merchant and bar.
Images: Latitude Wine Bar
"Thank you to one of our customers who found the abandoned dummy bottle and returned it to us today. Legend! Santé and happy Friyay!"
So not only did the thief smash the window to steal an empty bottle, but they didn't even take it home with them.
In classic Leeds fashion, fellow indies flocked to the comments to support Latitude with many promising to pop in over the weekend for a glass or two.
One comment read: "Do you need a sign in your window saying “this is a dummy bottle you dummy”" whilst another said "Damned spit buckets! I’m sure we’ll be in soon, keep your chins up fam."
So if you've been meaning to pop in for a glass of the good stuff, there's no better time than the present.
The UK’s oldest nightclub is in Halifax – and now they’re campaigning for a blue plaque
Thomas Melia
An all-new fundraiser has been set up which aims to crown the UK's oldest nightclub with its very own blue plaque.
Situated in Halifax, Acapulco Club, has been providing clubbers and night out lovers with live music and entertainment for 65 years.
Alongside offering 75p drinks to any guests before 11pm and a whole host of DJs playing out beats and bangers on their mezzanine-floor decks, Acapulco has created lots of happy memories too.
This West Yorkshire cultural hub attracted lots of media attention back in 2022 when the club auctioned off pieces of its spiral carpet for just £20.
Now, this Halifax nightlife institution is giving itself a massive pat on the back by setting up a fundraiser for its very own blue plaque.
Working alongside Halifax BID and Halifax Civic Trust, this living piece of Halifax history is recognising its contributions to this West Yorkshire town and clubbing culture.
Commonly referred to as "Acca", the club prides itself on "Welcoming dancers before man landed on the Moon, before the M62 motorway transformed our region, and before colour television arrived in British homes."
The cost of a blue plaque is £650 and any excess funds that are raised will be donated to Halifax Street Angels - a local charity which works alongside the night-time economy to keep partygoers safe.
Acapulco is encouraging anyone who has visited the nightclub over its 65 year period to donate and also provide any memories or photos they have shared within this venue.
Some of the famous faces that have graced this legendary clubbing hotspot include Katie Price and her son Harvey, Joey Essex, as well as an array of Love Island and Big Brother stars.
The Acapulco Club has even welcomed 80's pop royalty courtesy of a visit from George Michael... the tribute act of course.
Anyone wanting to find out more information or make a donation to the recent fundraiser set up to honour the UK's oldest nightclub Acapulco with a blue plaque can do so HERE.
Emily Sergeant -
22nd April 2026 
