- Written by Jennifer McKiernan & Helen Catt
- bbc politics
Plans to stop smoking among young people born after 2009 are being discussed and will be voted on later.
Rishi Sunak's bill aims to create Britain's first smoke-free generation through large-scale public health intervention.
The Tobacco and Vaping Bill, which would ban people who turn 15 from this year from purchasing cigarettes, also aims to make vaping less appealing to children.
A number of Conservative MPs told the BBC they did not support the bill.
The BBC understands that Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch is considering voting against the plans.
Conservative MPs will have a free vote and will not be ordered to vote with the government, but the bill has Labor support and is likely to pass.
This bill would criminalize the sale of tobacco products, not the act of smoking.
Tobacco use is the biggest preventable cause of death in the UK, killing two thirds of long-term smokers and accounting for 80,000 deaths each year.
On top of that, almost every minute someone is admitted to hospital in the UK with a smoking-related condition such as heart disease, stroke or lung cancer.
Britain's chief medical officer, Professor Sir Chris Whitty, supported the ban, saying that once people become addicted to smoking, “their choice is taken away”.
“If you're pro-choice, you should be against anything that takes away people's choices.
“When I was a junior surgeon, I saw people whose legs had to be amputated because their arteries had been damaged by smoking, crying brightly outside hospitals, trapped by addiction. Remember, it's not a choice.
Read more about smoking cessation
Conservative MP Simon Clarke, who served in Liz Truss and Boris Johnson's cabinet, said he did not support the move.
He told BBC Radio 4's Today program that focusing on education and taxation would be a much better way to deter young people from smoking, rather than enforcing a complete ban.
”[An outright ban] “Smoking risks getting cold, there is certainly a risk of creating a black market, and there is a risk of creating problems that are intractable for the authorities,” he said.
Under the plans, Trading Standards Officers will be given new powers to impose on-the-spot £100 fines on shops selling tobacco or e-cigarettes to children, with all funds raised going towards further enforcement. become.
There would also be new restrictions on vape flavors, packaging and sales to reduce interest among children.
Figures show one in five children have tried e-cigarettes despite being illegal for under-18s, while the number of children using e-cigarettes has tripled in the past three years Became.
The bill is undergoing second reading on Tuesday, giving MPs their first chance to debate and vote on this wide-ranging issue before it is scrutinized in further detail at a further stage.
Labor supports the bill and it is almost certain to be passed by the end of the year.
Lib Dem MPs were able to vote freely on the bill, with party leader Sir Ed Davey saying in an interview on BBC Breakfast: “I've seen the effects of smoking on health and there are no good consequences, there are always It’s bad, and that’s the main reason.” Preventable deaths are decreasing in our country. ”
Some Tory MPs oppose the plan because they believe it is unworkable, while others oppose it because it is unconservative. Some MPs plan to try to amend the bill further in the process.
Ms Truss told BBC political editor Chris Mason that a plan to phase out smoking over time was “not conservative”.
“We must absolutely protect children from harm and danger while they develop their decision-making skills,” she said, adding, “We are a free country.
“We shouldn't be telling people not to smoke. I'm worried about the consequences of that.”
“Game changer”
This is a free vote, so if Conservative members vote against the bill or abstain, it will not be considered a rebellion.
But it would still be embarrassing and potentially problematic for Mr Sunak if a significant section of the party chooses not to support his policies.
The proposed legislation would give Scotland the appropriate powers needed to legislate, but the Scottish Parliament would need to agree through a vote at Holyrood at a later date.
Scottish Public Health Minister Jenni Minto has said the Scottish Government wants to create a tobacco-free Scotland by 2034.
Luke Trill, director of research group More in Common UK, told the Today program there was widespread public support for the bill, particularly among 2019 Conservative voters.
“People like the government to take tough measures, especially when it comes to public health and things that affect children and young people,” he said.
Health groups and charities have called on MPs to support the bill, including Dr Charmaine Griffiths, chief executive of the British Heart Foundation, who said it would be a “game changer”. ” said that it would become a thing.
“Decisive action is needed to end this ongoing public health tragedy. We call on all members of Congress to vote for this landmark bill.” added.
Will your child be affected by the anti-smoking bill? Or are they a teenager or older who will not be affected by the ban? Share your experience by email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
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