The Download: A Smoking ‘Endgame’ and a New Elizabeth Bear Story
## The UK’s Generational Tobacco Ban Might Not Work. I’m Supporting It Anyway.
*—Jessica Hamzelou*
As the parent of two little girls, I often reflect on how their childhood differs from mine. My seven-year-old is learning about AI at school; my five-year-old receives internet-based homework every week. And both are utterly repulsed by the idea of smoking.
That was not the prevailing sentiment when I was young. Smoking was deeply embedded in our culture—which is why the UK’s recent passage of a generational sales ban on tobacco products feels like such a watershed moment.
This is what experts call an “endgame” approach. While most tobacco control strategies—such as taxation or graphic imagery—aim to reduce consumption, policies like the UK’s are designed to eliminate it entirely. It’s a novel strategy, and no one yet knows whether it will succeed. But it’s an enticing prospect—and one that is beginning to look a lot less radical.
[Find out why generational tobacco bans are gaining support.](https://www.technologyreview.com/2026/07/03/1140036/uk-tobacco-ban-might-not-work-children-smoking/?utm_source=the_download&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=the_download.unpaid.engagement&utm_term=*%7CSUBCLASS%7C*&utm_content=*%7CDATE:m-d-Y%7C*)
## Plus: An EU Lawmaker Investigating Spyware Was Hacked by That Same Spyware
In a troubling escalation of digital surveillance, an EU lawmaker leading an investigation into spyware was themselves compromised by the very technology they were probing. This incident underscores the escalating risks in 2026 as spyware becomes both more accessible and more aggressive, targeting not just activists but the officials tasked with regulating it. The breach raises urgent questions about cybersecurity protections for policymakers and the adequacy of Europe’s digital defense frameworks.
## Also Featured: A New Elizabeth Bear Story
We are excited to share a new short story from acclaimed science fiction author Elizabeth Bear. Known for her richly imagined worlds and deep character work, Bear’s latest narrative explores themes of resilience and transformation in a future shaped by rapid technological change. Readers can access the full story in this edition of The Download.
*This is today’s edition of [The Download](https://forms.technologyreview.com/newsletters/briefing-the-download/?_ga=2.179569122.736533416.1649661040-405833893.1649413289), our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology.*