Rishi Sunak’s public health policy banning the next generation from buying cigarettes will be introduced in Parliament this week, with officials bracing for a backlash from Conservative rebels.
While the policy enjoys significant support in Conservative ranks, the scale of an expected rebellion from the libertarian Tories – which also includes Liz Truss – is yet to become clear.
However, sources involved in lobbying to reject the bill claim that as many as 80 to 100 MPs are dissatisfied, creating a scenario where Sunak would be dependent on Labor for what could yet prove to be one of his few legacy policies.
Tory MPs planning to oppose the bill told the Guardian that the size of opposition would depend on what it says and how it is amended. A first reading is expected to take place in the House of Commons on Wednesday, which is usually a formality and takes place without debate – although it could provide some clues about the extent of the Tories’ unhappiness.
Under the plan, first reported in the Guardian, anyone born on or after January 1, 2009 – essentially anyone now aged 14 or under – will not be able to legally buy cigarettes in England during their lifetime, as the smoking age is increased by one. every year, subject to approval by parliamentarians.
Since Sunak announced the policy at the Tory party’s annual conference last year, New Zealand’s conservative government has said it will withdraw the country’s own smoking ban policy, which served as the prime minister’s blueprint.
John Hayes, a former minister and influential Tory backbencher on the right of the party, questioned on Monday whether the legislation would ultimately be workable. He criticized a scenario in which a 28-year-old person would be considered able to buy tobacco, while a 27-year-old person would. not.
He told the Guardian: “I am in favor of reaching the age of consent for smoking and many other things. I think that any legislation should be based on whether it can be implemented and whether it will be implemented. I don’t think this is practically possible.”
However, Sunak is likely to be helped by MPs who have changed their minds on health interventions.
Alun Cairns, a Tory MP and former Secretary of State for Wales, said he had opposed such a ban in the past, believing that “the market” would ultimately deliver a better outcome, but added that he had adapted to public health. arguments, as many others also had.
Speaking before a meeting of the centrist One Nation Tories on Monday evening, Flick Drummond, MP for Meon Valley in Hampshire, said: “While I understand the views of those who believe the state is becoming far too involved in people’s lives, I am very I strongly support a smoking ban because treating people who smoke is a huge and expensive public health challenge, but also a human tragedy because it kills people so early.
“Many conservatives, who would normally instinctively be reluctant to such an intervention and who do not like to ban things, share my view because smoking and passive smoking is so dangerous.”
She believed there was widespread support for the ban among many Conservative MPs, reflecting the public mood.
“Fortunately, lighting has little appeal to the public these days and I believe there is widespread support for a ban. For all these reasons, I think this view would be reflected among many Conservative MPs,” she added.
a questionnaire Last month, public health organization Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) found that 71% of adults supported the aim of making Britain a no-smoking country, while 12% were against.