Ban on young people smoking when in doubt after exclusion from the Commons scheme
The future of Rishi Sunak’s bill, which would ban young people from ever legally smoking tobacco, is in doubt after it was not mentioned as one of the final issues in the House of Commons before the general election.
House of Commons Leader Penny Mordaunt did not include the Tobacco and Vaping Bill as she set out legislation that could be pushed through by MPs before Parliament adjourns on Friday, during a period known as ‘wash-up’.
However, speaking to MPs on Thursday, Mordaunt said negotiations between the parties are continuing on the future of bills not included in the schedule.
Mordaunt also failed to mention the Football Governance Act, which would establish an independent regulator, or the Tenants Reform Act, which was expected to pave the way for an end to no-fault evictions.
But she did mention the bills that would allow compensation to be paid to the victims of the tainted blood scandal, and to exonerate post office operators involved in the Horizon IT scandal.
The Tobacco and Vaping Bill is considered a key element of Sunak’s political legacy and is supported by opposition parties.
The legislation received a second reading in the House of Commons last month but made no further progress, meaning it is at risk of lapsing once the House prorogates before the dissolution of Parliament.
The bill would make it illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone born after January 1, 2009, with the goal of creating a “smoke-free” generation.
Mordaunt assured victims of the tainted blood scandal that “this government is committed to the commitments made earlier this week.”
She added: “There is a clear desire across the House to ensure that legislation to compensate those infected and affected as a result of this scandal is passed and that this will be done on a cross-party basis. ”
Mordaunt said MPs would consider Lords amendments to the relevant legislation, the Victims and Prisoners Bill, on Friday. This includes a provision that the compensation scheme must be established within three months of the bill receiving royal assent.
She added: “I want to convey to victims this Government’s commitment that legislation that will overturn the convictions of those convicted will be before both Houses, and I am confident we will receive it.
“If I may deviate from my script for a moment, we are not leaving this place until we have done our duty to those people.”
On the issue of the bills that are still outstanding, she said: “Other bills are being discussed in discussions on the remaining matters, which will be done on a cross-party basis, and it is customary that during the washing up negotiations continue and we hope so to keep the house informed of further matters.”
Fourteen bills pass parliament, five of which are carried over from the previous parliamentary session and the rest were included for the first time in the king’s speech last year.