Liz Truss leads Tory revolt over ‘stealth’ ban on shopping for cigarettes

Rishi Sunak sounded defiance as we speak as he faces one other revolt over his ‘nanny state’ plans for a ‘rolling’ ban on shopping for cigarettes.

The PM insisted there was nothing ‘un-Conservative about caring about our kids’s well being’ after predecessor Liz Truss joined criticism of the proposals for a rising age restrict on shopping for tobacco merchandise.

‘I respect that some individuals will disagree with me on this however… I believe that is the fitting long-term factor for our nation. Smoking causes one in 4 most cancers deaths. It’s answerable for a hospital admission each minute,’ Mr Sunak stated on a go to to Darlington.

‘And if we do not do one thing about it, a whole lot of hundreds of individuals will die within the coming years and I believe that we do have an opportunity to do one thing about it.’

Mr Sunak confirmed the measures will probably be topic to a free vote, regardless that they’re being put ahead by the federal government.

The proposals would ban the sale of tobacco merchandise to these born on or after January 1 2009 – which means any baby who turns 15 this 12 months won’t ever be legally offered cigarettes. 

Labour has backed the transfer, which means it is going to virtually actually be handed by Parliament. However, the federal government is braced for a big mutiny by Tory MPs. 

The premier is trumpeting the smoking plan together with a brand new crackdown on kids vaping. 

Rishi Sunak (pictured on a go to to Darlington as we speak) is dealing with one other revolt over his ‘un-Conservative’ plans for a ‘rolling’ ban on shopping for cigarettes

Former PM Liz Truss is among the many senior figures bidding to dam laws implementing a rising age restrict on shopping for tobacco merchandise

The proposals would ban the sale of tobacco merchandise to these born on or after January 1 2009 – which means any baby who turns 15 this 12 months won’t ever be legally offered cigarettes (file image)

Ms Truss stated ministers ‘shouldn’t be searching for to increase the nanny state’.

She added: ‘While the state has an obligation to guard youngsters from hurt, in a free society adults should be capable to make their very own decisions about their very own lives.

‘Banning the sale of tobacco merchandise to anybody born in 2009 or later will create an absurd scenario the place adults get pleasure from totally different rights primarily based on their birthdate.’

Mr Sunak is struggling to quell mounting Tory dissent over his management, after struggling a collection of rebellions on the Rwanda deportation plan.

Former Cabinet minister Simon Clarke broke cowl to warn final week that Mr Sunak should be changed to keep away from the occasion being destroyed by Labour on the election.   

In a broad package deal to crack down on use of nicotine merchandise by youngsters, disposable vapes will probably be banned within the UK. 

The authorities will use powers already in place beneath the Environmental Protection Act for the restrictions which is anticipated to come back into pressure on the finish of 2024 or the beginning of 2025. 

Powers can even be launched to limit flavours particularly marketed at youngsters and to make sure producers produce plainer packaging. 

Current flavours embody pink lemonade, pineapple ice, triple melon and cherry cola, which come offered in a spread of shiny colors.

Vapes will probably be required to be displayed out of sight, and new ‘on the spot’ fines will probably be introduced in for outlets which promote vapes illegally to youngsters.

Scotland and Wales, which have devolved powers, are taking related motion. 

Mr Sunak stated: ‘As any father or mother or instructor is aware of, one of the vital worrying traits in the mean time is the rise in vaping amongst youngsters, and so we should act earlier than it turns into endemic.

‘While vaping could be a useful gizmo to assist people who smoke stop, advertising vapes to youngsters just isn’t acceptable.

‘As Prime Minister I’ve an obligation to do what I believe is the fitting factor for our nation in the long run.

‘Alongside our dedication to cease youngsters who flip 15 this 12 months or youthful from ever legally being offered cigarettes, these adjustments will go away an enduring legacy by defending our kids’s well being for the long run.’

Shadow well being secretary Wes Streeting stated: ‘We’ve seen earlier than that smart measures are met with resistance from Conservative backbenchers, however Labour will guarantee these vital measures to guard youngsters’s well being are introduced in, even when Rishi Sunak is weak.’ 

Former Cabinet minister Simon Clarke broke cowl to warn final week that Mr Sunak should be changed to keep away from the occasion being destroyed by Labour on the election