Below are jurisdictions that have passed innovative laws to phase out the sale of tobacco products.
United States
– Beverly Hills and Manhattan Beach, CA implemented their bans on the sale of tobacco products. Read ASH’s statement here.
– The State of California aims to end the tobacco epidemic by 2035. The California Tobacco Control Program unveiled its endgame plans to the public health community in January 2021. Learn more about ASH’s work in California here.
– Santa Cruz County, CA passed a ban on the sale of filtered cigarettes and cigars.
– Brookline and 15 other towns in Massachusetts have passed Nicotine-Free Generation laws, permanently banning the sale of tobacco products to anyone born on or after a particular date. The right of towns in Massachusetts to pass such policies was unanimously upheld by the Massachusetts Supreme court after a lawsuit was brought by the tobacco industry. Read more here>
– Dolgeville, NY and Bloomington, Little Canada, and St. Anthony Village, MN have passed laws to phase out tobacco retail licenses.
– The United States Department of Health adopted the Healthy People 2030 platform, including a goal of less than 5% smoking prevalence by 2030. Unfortunately, in 2022 the goal was changed to 6.1%.
Europe
On February 3, 2021, the European Commission unveiled its “Beating Cancer Plan.” One of the Plan’s key actions is to reduce smoking prevalence to below 5% by 2040. The EC’s plan recognizes that it will be impossible to defeat cancer without endging tobacco use. A task force formed by the Commission – on which ASH served – recommended a birthdate-based tobacco sales phaseout.
ASPIRE Countries
Over the past decade, at least 15 governments – the so-called ASPIRE countries – adopted goals to drive prevalence to very low numbers by a certain date.
– New Zealand was the first to set a goal – they hoped to push prevalence down below 5% by 2025. On December 13, 2022, the New Zealand Parliament passed the most sweeping anti-tobacco law in the world, including Tobacco-Free Generation, drastically reducing the number of retailers, and reducing nicotine in cigarettes to non-addictive levels. Unfortunately, a new government rescinded the law in 2024. Action Plan and Resources for Smokefree Aotearoa 2025 here>
United Kingdom
A Tobacco-Free Generation bill was introduced in the United Kingdom House of Commons in late 2024. Both major parties have endorsed the bill, and it was approved by the House of Commons in April 2025 by a 9 to 1 ratio. It is expected to become law in 2025.
Bhutan
In 2005, the Himalayan nation of Bhutan was the first jurisdiction in modern times to ban the commercial sale of tobacco. Unfortunately, the Act was rescinded in 2020 due to COVID; it’s unclear if it will be reinstated.
Denmark
March 2022 – Denmark’s government began considering a law which would end the sale of cigarettes for people born after 2010. Read more here> and read more here>
South Australia
The Legislative Council (upper house of parliament) approved a Nicotine-Free Generation law in October 2024. It is expected to pass into law in 2025.
Philippines
In 2016, Balanga City, Philippines passed a Tobacco-Free Generation law that bans the sale of tobacco to anyone born on or after January 1, 2000, effectively raising the age to purchase tobacco by one year every year. The tobacco industry sued, and won an injunction. Litigation is ongoing, but for now the tobacco free generation – which is turning 21 this year – is still fair game for tobacco marketing.
Spain
On February 12, 2021, a coalition of Spanish health and advocacy groups published its “Endgame Declaration of Tobacco in Spain 2030,” a detailed plan to make “tobacco consumption disappear from Spanish society” within ten years. The centerpiece of the plan is the enactment of the “Tobacco Free Generation” concept, which would bar sales to anyone born after 2006. Some health officials from the ruling party seem to be on board.
Wales
July 26, 2022 – long-term plan towards a smoke-free Wales by 2030.
- Theme 1: Reducing inequalities
- Theme 2: Future generations
- Theme 3: A whole-system approach for a smoke-free Wales
Singapore
In 2018, Singapore banned the purchase, use, and possession of electronic vapes.
The Netherlands
In 2024, The Netherlands banned tobacco sales in grocery stores, reducing the total number of tobacco retailers.
All these efforts require sustained effort to build and maintain political will and develop detailed plans. But ending the commercialization of tobacco is no longer a fringe topic in public health.
