British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is facing vocal resistance to his plans to effectively ban smoking for individuals aged 15 and younger as a new bill comes up for a vote in the House of Commons. Sunak's proposed Tobacco and Vapes Bill aims to create a "smoke-free generation" by making it illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone born after January 1, 2009, which covers children aged 15.
Sunak presented his vision for the bill at the Conservative Party conference last year, advocating for raising the smoking age by one year annually, to ensure that individuals born after a certain date never legally purchase cigarettes. However, some prominent Conservative MPs, including Sunak's predecessors Liz Truss and Boris Johnson, are leading a vocal group planning to vote against the bill, citing concerns about limiting public choice.
Despite opposition within his own party, Sunak has garnered support from the Opposition, and governing Conservative MPs have been granted a free vote on the bill. UK Health Secretary Victoria Atkins has emphasized the necessity of the legislation, highlighting the harmful effects of tobacco consumption and asserting that the bill will save lives, alleviate pressure on the NHS, and enhance productivity in the UK.
The proposed ban would not criminalize smoking itself, but it would prohibit the sale of tobacco products and vapes to individuals under the specified age. The government aims to prevent individuals from starting smoking, citing its addictive nature and the significant health risks associated with it.
If passed, the bill would empower trading standards officers to issue fines to shops selling tobacco or vapes to underage individuals, with the funds raised allocated to enforcement efforts. Additionally, the bill includes measures to regulate vaping, restricting flavors and packaging to deter children from using these products.
While vaping may assist adult smokers in quitting, the DHSC warns against its use by non-smokers and children due to the unknown long-term health effects and the addictive nature of nicotine. Smoking remains the UK's leading preventable cause of death, costing the NHS and economy billions annually, underscoring the importance of measures to reduce tobacco consumption.
