this post was submitted on 21 Apr 2026
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  • Technically, the new law will raise the legal age requirement in the UK for buying cigarettes, cigars or tobacco, which is currently 18, by one year in every subsequent year, starting on January 1, 2027
  • This will effectively mean that people born on or after January 1, 2009 will never be eligible to buy them
  • Retailers will face financial penalties for selling the products to those not entitled to them
  • The government will also be empowered to impose a new registration system for smoking and vaping products entering the country, seeking to improve oversight
  • The bill will expand the UK's indoor smoking ban to a series of outdoor public spaces, for instance in children's playgrounds, outside schools and hospitals
  • Most indoor spaces that are designated smoke-free will become vape-free as well
  • Smoking in designated areas outside pubs and bars and other hospitality settings will remain permissible
  • Smoking and vaping will remain legal in people's homes
  • Vaping will become illegal in cars if someone under the age of 18 is inside, to match existing rules on smoking
  • Advertising for smoking and vaping products will be banned
  • People aged 18 or older will remain eligible to purchase vaping products, but some items targeted at younger consumers like disposable vapes have already been outlawed as part of the program
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[–] Lost_My_Mind@lemmy.world 54 points 3 days ago (5 children)

You realize in the 1930s there was a black market for cigerettes when they weren't even illegal, right?

Mafias had support from the people, because mobs supplied booze, which WAS illegal. They made so much money from that, they started robbing cigerette trucks. Then selling legal cigerettes, at full cost, simply because the people trusted the mob over the government.

[–] Mitchie151@lemmy.world 31 points 3 days ago (1 children)

There's a huge black market for tobacco products here in Australia and it's completely legal, simply having the tax on it so high has led to massive smuggling operations, black market cigarettes in many convenience stores, and a fire bombing epidemic of those same convenience stores for carrying competitors black market cigs. It doesn't even need to be illegal. Just too expensive.

[–] Maeve@kbin.earth 2 points 3 days ago

Yup, a local substance plug sells cigarettes in addition to other goods and services, the cigarettes are less than the shops.

[–] SailorFuzz@lemmy.world 15 points 3 days ago (3 children)

1930s didnt have overwhelming evidence that smoking was stupid, addictive, and disastrously dangerous to your health.

Smoking doesnt produce the same euphoria and consistency of drugs on the current blackarket. The juice wont be worth the squeeze. Financially, there wont be enough "consumers" for a cigarette black market.

[–] Lost_My_Mind@lemmy.world 22 points 3 days ago (3 children)

I think you misunderestimate how addictive cigerettes are. My friends mom goes through $80 worth of cigerettes every 2-3 days.

[–] backalleycoyote@lemmy.today 2 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Real question- is that volume or branding? Depending on where you are/what brand, that might be a 1.5-2 pack a day habit of higher quality smokes; not unheard of for a typical heavy smoker. If you’re spending that much on ass-end packs that cost you $6/ea, that’s pushing 4 packs a day, which is like legendary status few can achieve anymore.

[–] Lost_My_Mind@lemmy.world 1 points 3 days ago

Oh, I thought you were replying to thr other message. Still, it's just below here, where I said she smokes 5-8 packs a day.

She also has this bag of loose tabacco where she rolls her own. She uses that when she can't afford marlborrow.

[–] SailorFuzz@lemmy.world 2 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Right,but theyre not banning it for people like her.... theyre banning it for people born after 2008. Is your mom 18 years old?

[–] Lost_My_Mind@lemmy.world 1 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Are you claiming that minors don't smoke because it's not legal? That's what you're going with?

[–] Maeve@kbin.earth 2 points 3 days ago (1 children)

How much is a packet there? 🫪

[–] Lost_My_Mind@lemmy.world 4 points 3 days ago (2 children)

About $8, but she smokes 5-8 packs a day.

[–] mojofrododojo@lemmy.world 3 points 2 days ago

5-8 packs a day.

I can't see how this is even possible for a couple, much less one person.

I GREW UP IN A HOUSE OF CHAIN SMOKERS, my older sister and brother and both parents.

Are you sure about this or just guestimating?

[–] Ilovethebomb@sh.itjust.works 3 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Holy shitballs.

Is she just smoking nonstop the whole day?

[–] Lost_My_Mind@lemmy.world 8 points 3 days ago (1 children)

I've seen her laying on the couch, asleep, sits up, eyes not open, reaches in the drawer, lights her own hair on fire, sits there on fire, smoking an unlit cigerette as the rest of us scramble to put her out.

[–] Maeve@kbin.earth 4 points 3 days ago

That's hardcore. Are any other substances involved?

[–] skaffi@infosec.pub 14 points 3 days ago

There already is a big, thriving black market for cigarettes in the EU country I'm in, simply due to high tobacco taxes. I can only assume the same will be true for other places that tax similarly. Are you really saying that an outright ban won't result in a greater unmet demand, and thus more customers shopping at the black markets? It sounds unlikely to me that black market dealers will close up shop, because of a ban on the legal sale of cigarettes. The black market is already banned, but that's not exactly stopping them.

[–] Maeve@kbin.earth 4 points 3 days ago

Cigarette companies add things to make them more addictive, including chemical flavorings and extra nicotine. It doesn't negate what you said, but enhances it.

[–] MBech@feddit.dk 8 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Sure, but a lot has changed since then, and while that totally could happen, I'm doubting it'll be widespread in any way.

[–] wheezy@lemmy.ml 3 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago)

"yeah, but, nah, trust me bro"

would have been a better response. At least build your conclusion from something. You're responding to someone giving a historical example.

"Times are different" just means it could be worse or better. It doesn't conclude which or to what degree. You didn't say anything.

[–] leagman1@feddit.org 7 points 3 days ago

I think it might be different nowadays. We know now that smoking causes cancer. Also the world is in color, which makes not smoking more enjoyable.

[–] EndlessNightmare@reddthat.com 2 points 3 days ago (1 children)

That must explain the reason for having the "T" in ATF then.

[–] Lost_My_Mind@lemmy.world 6 points 3 days ago

No no no. You're missing the H.

Aqua Teen Hunger Force.

They're number one in the hood, G!