Illustration by Charlotte Trounce Two weeks ago, I mused in this column about when one truly becomes a grown-up. Thanks to new legislation, the answer regarding one traditional marker of adulthood will soon be “never”. The age at which Brits can legally buy tobacco, vaping and nicotine products, now 18, will rise year by year, with the effect that those born after 1 January 2009 will be banned from buying these items for their entire lives. Anyone born before need not worry – we will be able to carry on destroying our lungs as normal. This policy, announced at the 2023 Conservative Party Conference by Rishi Sunak and brought to fruition by this Labour government, has skirted under the discourse radar. Maybe there’s too much else going on right now, or maybe its aim – to create a “smoke-free generation” – just seems too noble for sceptics to apply appropriate scrutiny. This is, after all, about the need to save lives and reduce pressure on the NHS.…