In a campaign dominated by political clashes and competing promises, Prime Minister Robert Abela and Opposition Leader Alex Borg have finally found common ground - neither appears willing to consider a UK-style law that would gradually ban cigarette sales to future generations.

While both stressed the importance of healthier lifestyles and anti-smoking education, they stopped short of endorsing stricter tobacco legislation, favouring awareness campaigns over outright prohibition.

Asked separately during press conferences today whether they are considering including a UK-style tobacco ban - last month, the UK passed landmark legislation creating a "smoke-free generation" by making it illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone born on or after January 1, 2009 - both Abela and Borg would not be drawn into committing themselves to the move.

Abela sidestepped the question, instead listing a series of health and lifestyle initiatives aimed at discouraging smoking and promoting healthier living.

Rather than directly answering whether such a measure was under consideration, Abela pivoted to ongoing government initiatives related to public health and anti-smoking campaigns.

The Prime Minister said the government is implementing pilot projects on two beaches, one in Malta and another in Gozo, where smoking is prohibited except in designated areas, alongside educational campaigns highlighting the dangers of smoking for both young people and older adults.

He insisted that the government's policy is "very clear" in discouraging smoking and promoting healthier lifestyles, but stopped short of indicating any willingness to introduce generational tobacco bans.

Abela then broadened his response to include a number of unrelated health initiatives, including school programmes to monitor children's body mass index, referrals to dieticians for children suffering from obesity, partnerships promoting physical activity through a mobile app, and free mental health check-ups.

The response appeared to suggest that the government is focusing on awareness campaigns and lifestyle measures rather than pursuing stricter tobacco legislation akin to the UK model.

PN Leader Alex Borg was asked the same question, replying that Malta should not automatically follow similar legislation adopted abroad.

He stressed that policy choices must reflect Malta's own circumstances rather than simply mirroring decisions taken in other countries. "Just because other countries are doing something does not mean we should automatically follow," Borg said, adding that different social and cultural contexts require different approaches.

Borg said the PN's focus remains on promoting public health through education, prevention and awareness rather than sweeping bans. "We are focused on what works best for Malta and on promoting wellbeing in a holistic way," he said.

He added that encouraging healthier lifestyles should be a gradual process supported by sustained public engagement. "It is important that we continue to promote better wellbeing for everyone through education and awareness," Borg said, stressing that long-term behavioural change is more effective when supported by information and incentives rather than strict prohibitions alone.