MPs back Rishi Sunak’s ban on youngsters smoking
Rishi Sunak’s proposal to ban young people from ever being able to legally smoke tobacco has cleared its first Commons hurdle, despite a swathe of Conservative MPs objecting to it in a blow to his authority.
The legislation, seen by the Prime Minister as a key part of his long-term legacy, would make it illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone born after January 1 2009, with the aim of creating a 'smoke-free' generation.
It does not criminalise current smokers, but is aimed at preventing the harms caused by smoking, the leading causes of preventable illness and death in the UK.
Conservative MPs were given a free vote on the Bill, meaning those who voted against the Government’s position will not face punishment. This allowed serving ministers, including Business Secretary and future Tory leadership hopeful Kemi Badenoch, to publicly reveal they would vote to reject the Bill.
Former prime minister Liz Truss said she would not back the Bill due to concerns about freedom of personal choice.
In the Commons, Ms Truss claimed the ban is the result of a 'technocratic establishment' aiming to 'limit people’s freedom', and described the Bill as a 'virtue-signalling piece of legislation'.
Other Conservative former ministers supported the plans, with ex-health secretary Sir Sajid Javid criticising colleagues for 'choosing to stand up for big tobacco against the interest of their constituents'.