• Gibraltar’s government is advancing a bold “smoke‑free generation” law that would ban the sale of tobacco products to anyone born on or after January 1, 2009, with enforcement starting January 1, 2027, when that cohort turns 18.
• The law targets only the sale or transfer of tobacco—not smoking itself—and carries steep penalties: fines of up to £10,000, and £20,000 plus license revocation for repeat offences. It also bans single-use vapes, vending-machine tobacco, and novelty products imitating tobacco.
• Health Minister Gemma Arias‑Vasquez said the draft bill is “one of the most forward‑looking public health proposals our community has ever seen,” and a consultation launched in March drew 28 to 30 responses, including from retailers and industry stakeholders concerned about economic impacts.

Gibraltar is pushing forward with landmark legislation that would fundamentally reshape the landscape of tobacco and nicotine access in the territory. The proposed bill, unveiled in a Command Paper on March 31, 2025, seeks to establish a “smoke‑free generation” by outlawing the sale of tobacco products to anyone born on or after January 1, 2009—a rule set to come into force on January 1, 2027, the day that cohort turns 18.

Health Minister Gemma Arias‑Vasquez described the draft bill as “one of the most forward‑looking public health proposals our community has ever seen.”

Under the proposals, it would not be illegal to smoke, only illegal to sell or transfer tobacco products to those born after the cutoff date. Retailers face fines up to £10,000 (US$13,400), with repeat offenses escalating to £20,000 and possible license revocation.

The bill also includes sweeping new measures for vaping and novelty tobacco products, such as modern white. It bans the sale and advertising of single‑use (disposable) vapes, regardless of purchaser age, and prohibits vending‑machine tobacco sales and items like sweets, snacks, or toys that mimic tobacco products.

A public consultation began in March, closing in April, drawing an estimated 30 submissions—notably from retailers and industry representatives. Their concerns centered on the financial impact the legislation could have on small and medium-sized businesses.

The Cabinet is now reviewing the feedback before the draft bill proceeds to parliament. Lawmakers will weigh both public health imperatives and the economic implications for stakeholders across the supply chain.