Cigar-chomping Prime Minister Winston Churchill would have supported smoking ban, says Health Minister Victoria Atkins, while Tory rebels say planned new law is ‘unconservative’
He smoked up to ten cigars a day and reportedly once compared enjoying the fragrant rolled tobacco to falling in love.
Winston Churchill’s enjoyment of an excellent Havana is legendary and he was repeatedly photographed with one in his belligerent jaw. There is even a line named after him.
But a senior minister has suggested the legendary war leader and Tory icon would have backed Rishi Sunak’s plan for a smoking ban.
Health Minister Victoria Atkins used Churchill to hit back at party critics of the plan for a progressive age limit on tobacco use, amid claims the legislation is ‘unconservative’.
Boris Johnson and Liz Truss have waged a battle against the bill, which returns to the House of Commons this week, with Mr Johnson saying it is “crazy” and asking a Canadian conference why “Winston Churchill’s party wants to ban cigars” ‘.
But today the Health Secretary wrote in the Telegraph: ‘Is this policy conservative, some ask? I deeply believe so. In doing so, I draw inspiration from the words of a brilliant former Daily Telegraph correspondent who became our greatest Prime Minister.
‘I am referring, of course, to Winston Churchill, who once wrote of his relief at passing from ‘the turbulent sea of Cause and Theory to the solid ground of Result and Fact’.
She added: “One of the foundations of the Conservative Party is that we make tough decisions to protect future generations. That applies to the burdens of servicing debt and growing the economy. It should also apply to addiction.’
Winston Churchill’s enjoyment of an excellent Havana is legendary and he was repeatedly photographed with one in his belligerent jaw. There is even a line named after him.
Health Minister Victoria Atkins used Churchill to hit back at party critics of the plan for a progressive age limit on tobacco use, amid claims the legislation is ‘unconservative’.
The ban has broad public support and is expected to become law with the help of the opposition, despite suggestions that almost a hundred Tory backers will refuse to back it.
The uprising is over a plan to raise the minimum age for purchasing tobacco every year in order to gradually eliminate smoking.
It would effectively mean that anyone currently aged 15 or under would never be able to buy cigarettes again.
The Mail on Sunday understands fellow former Prime Minister Liz Truss will speak out against the plans in this week’s Commons debate.
MPs will be given a free vote on the issue – meaning there can be no formal uprising against the government, even though yesterday it was reported that at least three ministers will vote against the plan.
And a senior Tory branded the decision not to impose a three-line whip as a ‘sign of Rishi weakness, not strength’.
Ms Truss has branded Mr Sunak’s attempt to effectively ban young people from smoking as ‘very unconservative’.
Mr Johnson joined Tory anger over Mr Sunak’s proposals on Wednesday evening as he criticized policies implemented “in the name of conservatism”.
“We are broadly in favor of freedom and it is that one Anglo-Saxon idea of freedom that I think unites, or should unite, conservatives,” he said.
“And when I look at some of the things that we’re doing now, or that are being done in the name of conservatism, I think they’re absolutely crazy.”
Mr Johnson added: ‘If Winston Churchill’s party wants to ban cigars, donnez-moi un break as they say in Quebec, it is simply insane.’