UK government confirms plans to restrict cigarettes and vapes

The age is set to increase

The legislation was announced in the King’s Speech at the State Opening of Parliament on Wednesday, in which Labour laid out its plans for government.

A bill will be introduced to ‘progressively increase the age at which people can buy cigarettes and impose limits on the sale and marketing of vapes.’

This was a policy initially introduced by the previous Conservative government back in October. The actual age was not specified at the time.

Further health policies that were outlined include improvements to the National Health Service as it looks to reduce waiting times, focus on prevention and improve mental health provision for young people.

The King said his ministers will also bring in legislation to restrict the marketing of junk food to children and young people including the sale of high caffeine energy drinks to children.

A draft bill will also be brought forward to ban conversion practices, which aim to change or suppress a person's sexual orientation or gender identity.

The Labour government has also pledged to renationalise railway services within five years and bring train operators into public ownership.

Other key announcements included plans to remove the "exemption from VAT" for private school fees something which the government says will fund 6,500 new teachers.

More to follow.