Up to 100 Tory MPs are unhappy with Rishi Sunak’s flagship cigarettes ban, it was claimed today.
Legislation imposing tough restrictions on tobacco and vapes, seen as potential lasting legacy Mr Sunak’s time in No10, is set to be unveiled.
But it has already been criticised as ‘nanny state’ by some Conservatives, including former premier Liz Truss.
According to the Guardian, lobbyists believe that between 80 and 100 MPs are uncomfortable about the plans – although it is unclear how many would vote against.
There is no real danger of it being blocked as Labour are also supporting the proposals. Tory sources said it was not yet clear what kind of opposition there would be, although be convention it will be the subject of a free vote.
Mr Sunak wants to restrict the sale of tobacco so that anyone turning 15 this year, or younger, will never legally be sold cigarettes.
Legislation imposing tough restrictions on tobacco and vapes, seen as potential lasting legacy Mr Sunak’s time in No10, is set to be unveiled
Up to 100 Tory MPs are unhappy with Rishi Sunak’s flagship cigarettes ban, it was claimed today
It will effectively raise the age of tobacco sale by one year every year, with the aim of stopping today’s youngsters from ever taking up smoking in the first place.
Government figures show that smoking costs the UK around £17 billion a year, including £10billion every year through lost productivity alone.
Some Tory MPs have expressed concerns about the plans, with former prime minister Liz Truss saying they are ‘profoundly unconservative’.
‘While the state has a duty to protect children from harm, in a free society, adults must be able to make their own choices about their own lives,’ she said previously.
‘Banning the sale of tobacco products to anyone born in 2009 or later will create an absurd situation where adults enjoy different rights based on their birthdate.
‘A Conservative government should not be seeking to extend the nanny state. This will only give succour to those who wish to ban further choices of which they don’t approve.’
Labour has given backing to the move, which is subject to a free vote in Parliament.
Under the changes, smoking itself will not be criminalised and anyone who can legally buy tobacco now will not be prevented from doing so.
The plan has already been criticised as ‘nanny state’ by some Conservatives, including former premier Liz Truss
The Bill will also tackle youth vaping, by introducing new powers to restrict vape flavours and packaging intentionally marketed at children.
This could change how vapes, which contain nicotine, are displayed in shops, moving them out of sight of children and away from other products such as sweets.
Figures show that one in five children has tried vaping despite it being illegal for under-18s, while the number of children using vapes has tripled in the past three years.