The symbolic battle of the government of Rishi sunak divided the Conservatives, but the first step has been taken: stop selling cigarettes forever for those born in 2009.
British MPs voted in favor of the government plan which aims to create a “smoke-free” generation. The bill to ban the purchase of cigarettes by anyone under the age of 15 has passed the first vote in the House of Commons with 383 in favor and 67 against. Among those against were many from the Conservative party, including Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch, who were able to vote according to their conscience, having been able to vote not along party lines.
Stop cigarettes: sale, not consumption, will be prohibited
The Tobacco and Vapes Bill, promoted by British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, aims to introduce a draconian squeeze on smoking, especially for young people, banning the sale of tobacco to those born after January 2009, XNUMX. The restrictions will apply to sale of cigarettes and electronic cigarettes, but not for their direct consumption. Sunak said this tackles “the largest completely preventable cause of disease, disability and death”.
The law is one of Sunak's top priorities ahead of elections this year, which, according to polls, seem to favor the Labor Party, currently in opposition.
Raise the age limit every year
The law provides for raise the age limit every year for the purchase of cigarettes, now set at 18 years. The goal is to create a generation free from smoking and its health consequences. According to government data, the vast majority of smokers (4 in 5) started before age 20 and remain addicted throughout their lives.
The provision is strongly supported by the English health leaders, led by Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty, who argues that once people become addicted to smoking, they lose the ability to choose. Whitty indirectly criticizes those among conservatives who denounce the danger of limiting individual freedoms, saying that if you are in favor of freedom of choice, you should be against measures that limit it.
Boris Johnson: “Crazy choice”
The health choice was not well received by the right wing in the majority group. Conservative exponents, in fact, consider this choice to be a limitation of individual freedoms. Liz Truss, former prime minister, believes that the measure goes against the conservative spirit: “We are a free country. We shouldn't be the ones telling people not to smoke." Boris Johnson called the initiative “simply crazy”.
The law will now move to the next stage in parliament, where it may be subject to changes. If definitively approved, these anti-smoking regulations will become the strictest in the world. For example, a similar law in New Zealand was repealed this year by the new coalition government.
