SKY NEWS: Anyone born after 1 January 2009 will be prevented from ever legally smoking if the Tobacco and Vapes Bill becomes law - with a majority of MPs backing the proposal at the first stage.
A landmark bill to ban the younger generation from ever smoking has cleared its first hurdle in the House of Commons.
The legislation, backed by 415 to 47, means anyone born after 1 January 2009 will be prevented from buying tobacco if it ultimately becomes law.
Before then, the bill must go through further parliamentary stages, with MPs able to suggest amendments to any aspects they don't like.
Other measures being proposed include a total ban on vape advertising and sponsorship, with a possible ban on the sale of sweet vape flavours, subject to consultation.
While tonight's numbers indicate large cross-party support, there was some strong criticism from Conservative, Liberal Democrat and Reform UK MPs, who raised concerns about "civil liberties". » | Faye Brown, Political reporter | Tuesday, November 26, 2024
When this country has a democratic government again, this bill, if passed, will have to be repealed. This is a ridiculous bill. It is going to create two-tier ‘citizenship’. At least ‘two-tier Starmer’ is being consistent here!
What is there about left-wingers that they always want to ban things and take people’s rights away from them?
Banning cigarette sales to people born after 2009 will not stop these people smoking cigarettes at all. It will only drive the market underground. The black market for cigarettes will flourish. Black marketeers will make a killing! Further, because cigarette smoking will be banned, it will make the habit more mysterious and attractive. Young people love to do what is forbidden. These politicians really are stupid.
Moreover, if they think they will protect these young people’s health, they need to think again! When young people buy legal cigarettes, the quality of them is assured. So, although they are not healthy, the government can be sure of their quality. This is not the case if cigarettes are bought on the black market. Their quality cannot be assured at all; so they are likely to be even more injurious to the smoker’s health.
Hitherto, UK governments have been successful in reducing the number of smokers by informing people of the dangers to health of smoking. Infomercials are a far more effective tool to reduce smoking than an outright ban.
I have objections to this legislation on so many levels. A book could be written on the stupidity of this legislation.
It is to be hoped that this illiberal, undemocratic legislation put forward by killjoys will fail to pass through Parliament. I am not, however, holding my breath. Common sense in Parliament appears to be a rarity these days.
At the very same time that Starmer and his government are trying to pass a bill which is tantamount to state-sponsored murder, they are putting this anti-smoking bill pretending to care about the health of children! Am I the only one who sees the irony in this?
By the way, this bill is not needed to protect children at all. There are already laws in place to protect children. Cigarettes should not be sold to children anyway. What this ridiculous legislation will do is stop adults from enjoying one of life’s great pleasures. Churchill must be turning in his grave! – © Mark Alexander
