Two-thirds of people in the East of England support the landmark new law, while almost eight in 10 people who have ever smoked regret starting.
With just three months to go until landmark new tobacco legislation comes into effect, Thurrock Council is backing the move to create the first Smokefree
Generation, while encouraging residents who smoke to make their own fresh start this Stoptober.
From 1 January 2027, it will be illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009. The age of sale will then increase by one year every year, gradually phasing out the sale of tobacco to future generations.
The change has strong public backing. 66% of adults in the East of England support the Smokefree Generation law, while 78% of people in the region who have ever smoked say that, if they could go back in time, they would not start smoking.
The milestone is particularly significant for Thurrock, where 14.3% of adults smoke, higher than the England average, according to the latest three-year figures for 2022 to 2024.
The Smokefree Generation represents a major shift in the country’s approach to tobacco, continuing to help people who already smoke to quit, while preventing future generations from becoming addicted in the first place.
The measure is expected to protect around four million young people nationally from tobacco within the next five years.
Cllr Rob Willoughby, Cabinet Member for Adult Health and Housing Services, said: “From 1 January, we will take a historic step towards a future where children growing up in Thurrock are protected from the addiction and devastating harms caused by smoking.
“The fact that almost eight in 10 people in our region who have smoked regret ever starting really brings home why preventing the next generation from becoming addicted in the first place is so important.
“Smoking prevalence in Thurrock remains higher than the England average, so the Smokefree Generation is also an opportunity for us to support people who already smoke and want to quit.
“As Stoptober begins, there couldn’t be a better time to take that first step. Giving up smoking isn’t always easy, but you don’t have to do it alone. Our Health Trainer Service offers free, professional and personalised support to help residents quit and stay smokefree.
“By helping today’s smokers to quit and protecting future generations from ever starting, we can work together towards a healthier, smokefree future for Thurrock.”
Make this Stoptober your time to quit
Thurrock Council’s Stop Smoking Service provides free, professional one-to-one support for residents who want to quit. Support is delivered by trained advisers and includes personalised quit plans, help managing cravings and triggers, and access to stop smoking aids including nicotine replacement therapy, vape kits or prescribed medication, subject to availability and clinical suitability.
Residents can receive up to 12 weeks of free one-to-one support, while those who successfully quit for 12 weeks with the council’s Health Trainers can also receive a free two-month Impulse Leisure membership, worth £150 (subject to availability).
As Thurrock prepares for the new law, the council will also work with retailers and partners across the borough to make sure they have the information they need ahead of 1 January 2027.
Residents who smoke are encouraged to use Stoptober and the countdown to the Smokefree Generation as an opportunity to start their own journey towards a smokefree future.
Find out more and register for free support: www.thurrock.gov.uk/help-to-stop-smoking/stopping-smoking