UK timeline, part 9 of 10

Everyday British life: things once permitted, then considered unacceptable

Smoking indoors, seat belts, drink-driving, cladding and other parts of everyday life the rules later changed.

This timeline is a starting catalogue. Unlike our fact-checked cases, each entry has not yet been checked against primary sources. Not every case involves dishonesty: many are honest changes as evidence improved.

Smoking in pubs and restaurants 2006–2007

U-turn

After decades when smoking indoors was normal, comprehensive smoke-free legislation came into force across the UK's nations.

Tobacco advertising on television 1965

U-turn

Cigarette commercials were banned from British television.

Tobacco sponsorship and advertising 2002–2005

U-turn

Wider restrictions eliminated most forms of tobacco advertising and sponsorship.

Cigarette vending machines 2011–2012

U-turn

Machines once commonly found in pubs and other venues were banned across the UK.

Cigarette packaging 2016–2017

U-turn

Standardised packaging replaced the branded packets long permitted under British rules.

Tobacco sales to younger generations 2026

U-turn

New legislation established a prohibition on tobacco sales to people born on or after 1 January 2009, reversing the traditional approach of permitting sales once someone reached a fixed age.

Compulsory front seat belts 1983

U-turn

Wearing seat belts became mandatory after years when motorists were legally free not to wear them.

Compulsory rear seat belts 1989–1991

U-turn

Legal requirements expanded to rear-seat passengers.

Drink-driving laws 1967

U-turn

Britain introduced a measurable legal alcohol limit and roadside breath testing.

Mobile phones while driving 2003

U-turn

Handheld phone use became a specific driving offence.

Mobile phone rules while driving 2022

U-turn

England, Scotland and Wales strengthened the rules to cover practically any handheld phone use, including taking photos and scrolling.

Motorcycle helmets 1973

U-turn

Helmets became compulsory for most motorcycle riders in Great Britain.

Rear-facing child car seats 2000s–2010s

Changed evidence

Safety recommendations increasingly emphasised keeping young children rear-facing longer.

Building insulation fire safety 2017 onwards

Safety reversal

After Grenfell, previously accepted combinations of cladding and insulation were subjected to major scrutiny and tighter rules.

Combustible cladding on tall residential buildings 2018 onwards

Safety reversal

England introduced major restrictions on combustible materials in external walls of certain buildings.

The building-control system 2022–2024

U-turn

Legislation introduced a new building safety regulator and accountability arrangements following failures exposed by Grenfell.

Diesel vehicles and clean-air policy 1990s–2020s

Policy reversal

Diesel was encouraged partly because of lower CO₂ emissions, but later became a major focus of air-pollution restrictions.

Read our fact-checked case

Plastic shopping bags 2015–2021

U-turn

After decades of freely supplied bags, charges were introduced and increased to discourage single-use plastic.

Disposable vapes 2025

U-turn

Single-use vapes, once legally sold, were banned throughout the UK because of environmental and other concerns.

The government's own history of road safety documents how seat-belt laws, drink-driving regulation and safety campaigns developed. Tobacco legislation in April 2026 represents a further major change in the state's approach to smoking.

Last reviewed: 12 November 2026.