Rishi Sunak faces Tory rebellion over landmark 'smoke-free generation' bill
15 April 2024, 16:44 | Updated: 16 April 2024, 11:53
The prime minister is facing another rebellion from his party over his plans to ban young people from ever smoking again.
Should the Tobacco and Vapes Bill eventually be passed into law, it would be an offence to sell tobacco products to anyone born after 1 January 2009.
This means children aged 15 or younger today will never legally be able to buy a cigarette.
The plan was one of Rishi Sunak's three key policies he announced at the Tory party conference last year.
However, some more laissez-faire Conservatives have criticised the ban, meaning the prime minister could have to rely on support from the other side of the Commons to get the bill over the line.
Opponents of the ban include Mr Sunak's predecessor, Liz Truss, who has described the plans as "profoundly unconservative" and Boris Johnson, who branded the move "nuts".
Tory MPs have been granted a free vote on the legislation, and several are expected to oppose it when it has its first full debate in the Commons on Tuesday.
However, Labour will back the proposals, making it likely the legislation will clear this first hurdle regardless of Conservative opposition.
The bill would not criminalise smoking itself, and those aged 18 or over can forever buy cigarettes without legal repercussions.
However, older people may have to carry ID if they want to buy cigarettes in the future.
Read more:
How would a smoking ban work and who would be affected?
