MPs vote for smoking ban despite Tories’ division over policy

The possibility of forbidding smoking for upcoming generations got closer yesterday, yet Rishi Sunak experienced a setback as numerous Conservative MPs opposed it.

The UK's Prime Minister's proposal to outlaw the purchase of tobacco products by anyone born in 2009 or after was supported by 383 to 67 votes in the House of Commons.

The proposed law aims to prohibit smoking for upcoming generations by gradually increasing the legal age limit each year. Supporters of the prime minister believe this to be a crucial component of his political heritage.

Despite the outcome, which was opposed by 57 members of the Conservative Party, including Kemi Badenoch who is seen as a potential future leader, and five other government ministers, it highlighted how deeply split the party is when it comes to Sunak's key policies.

The proposal introduced at the Conservative Party conference in October received support from the Labour Party, resulting in it easily passing through the Commons. However, over 100 Conservative MPs chose not to vote, although some may have been absent due to other reasons.

The business secretary, Badenoch, was the lone cabinet member to oppose the law. She expressed her misgivings before the vote, stating that she had "considerable apprehensions" because the law would lead to "individuals born only a day apart being subject to everlasting unequal rights."

After the vote, she spoke to LBC and shared that she believed the outcome did not excuse the methods used to achieve it. Her disagreement stemmed from the idea of unequal treatment of adults and the potential obstacles in enforcing it. She was uncomfortable with the situation and felt it was not morally sound.

There were five additional ministers, namely Julia Lopez, Alex Burghart, Steve Baker, Lee Rowley and Andrew Griffith, who opposed the proposal. Penny Mordaunt, who is responsible for leading the Commoners, was among numerous Conservative MPs who chose not to cast their vote.

The Conservative Members of Parliament were allowed to vote freely on the matter, despite the fact that Andrea Leadsom, the junior health minister overseeing the legislation, reached out to certain individuals to present the government's position.

The proposal's resistance was headed by Liz Truss, who served as the previous prime minister. Truss expressed her unease in the House of Commons and believed that the agenda mirrored an authoritative system in the nation with the motive to curtail individual liberties.

Critics from the Tory party claimed that the suggestion would lead to discrimination against individuals on the basis of their age. They believed that it could potentially open the door to prohibiting the consumption of fast food or alcohol. Certain Members of Parliament voiced their concerns that implementing the idea could lead to an increase in illegal trading of tobacco products and could pose challenges when it comes to its enforcement.

Truss, the erstwhile business minister Simon Clarke, the ex-home minister Suella Braverman, and the ex-immigration minister Robert Jenrick were amongst those who voted in favor of opposing the prohibition.

Many Conservative Members of Parliament (MPs) who are connected to the vaping industry expressed their disagreement with the proposed bill. Mark Eastwood, who serves as the vice-chair of the cross-party parliamentary group for responsible vaping, claimed that the bill could lead people to switch from vaping to smoking. Adam Afriyie, who was honored by a vaping industry group in the previous year, refused to back the suggested plan because it would discriminate against adults based on their age.

The law won't prohibit vaping, but it will enforce more rigorous regulations, particularly on promoting vape products to youngsters.

The proposal to prohibit smoking is based on a blueprint in New Zealand, which was cancelled earlier this year by a recent conservative government in Wellington, before it could come into effect.

Some high-ranking members of the Conservative party, such as ex-health secretary Sajid Javid and health select committee chair Steve Brine, expressed their support for the proposed law. They argued that it would help reduce the burden on the NHS and prevent future generations from developing harmful smoking habits. A survey conducted by Savanta and released on Tuesday found that 64% of Conservative voters agreed with this initiative.

Javid addressed MPs saying that it is unreasonable to claim that this medication promotes freedom and independence. This argument is absurd as it suggests that those who support it are taking the side of large tobacco companies rather than representing the people they serve.

This week, The Guardian made public that tobacco companies were exerting influence on politicians to resist new laws and instead back increasing the minimum age for smoking from 18 to 21, in a bid to prevent a complete prohibition.

Javid stated that it is crucial to safeguard upcoming generations from the dangers of this drug and addiction, given what we currently know. The liberty to live without pain, sickness, and discrimination is undeniably one of the most significant freedoms a person can have.

The health secretary, Victoria Atkins, spoke in front of parliament about addiction and freedom. She explained that addiction takes away people's freedom and that nicotine is particularly guilty of this. She also mentioned that most smokers start when they are young, and many regret their decision to start.

The Labour Party made fun of the government by using what their opponent, the Conservative Party, has said before. They also mentioned how some previous Conservative ministers were connected to tobacco companies.

The shadow health secretary, Wes Streeting, addressed the parliament and stated that the Conservatives' recent adoption of Labour policies indicates their submission to the opposition's superior ideas and principles.

We gladly support the promotion of good health for the benefit of our country and we are eager to protect the health secretary from the persuasive tactics of the tobacco industry supporters we observe alongside our previous leader in the chamber.

An old saying goes that a clock that has stopped will show the correct time twice each day. In this case, I concur with the ex-prime minister's opinion. The bill being introduced by the government is not in line with Conservative values, but rather aligns more with those of the Labour party. We are pleased to observe the legislation being presented nonetheless.

Following the vote, Deborah Arnott, who holds the position of chief executive at Action on Smoking and Health, expressed that the Parliament has commenced the procedure of putting an end to smoking and consigning it to history.

Nevertheless, the initial stage is complete, but the bill needs to undergo assessment by a committee as well as another voting process before undergoing the same procedure in the House of Lords. The swift approval of this bill is crucial to guarantee that it is formally documented before the upcoming general election.