Rishi Sunak is facing a revolt from more than 50 Tory MPs over his plans to ban smoking, with former prime minister Liz Truss hitting out at what she dubbed a “nanny state” policy.
MPs will be given a free vote on the Government’s Tobacco and Vapes Bill today.
Victoria Atkins, the Health Secretary, will introduce the Bill at its second reading today. She said smoking is “uniquely harmful”, adding that the Bill would save thousands of lives.
She said: “Too many people know someone whose life has been tragically cut short or irreversibly changed because of smoking, which despite significant progress remains the UK’s biggest preventable killer.
Rishi Sunak is facing a revolt from more than 50 Tory MPs over his plans to ban smoking, with former prime minister Liz Truss hitting out at what she dubbed a “nanny state” policy
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“The truth is that there is no safe level of tobacco consumption. It is uniquely harmful and that is why we are taking this important action today to protect the next generation.
“This Bill will save thousands of lives, ease the strain on our NHS, and improve the UK’s productivity.”
Labour is planning to back the proposals, meaning it is very likely to pass through the Commons despite an impending rebellion.
While Tory MPs have been given a free vote, Labour MPs will be whipped to vote in favour.
Shadow Health Secretary Wes Streeting said Sunak “is too weak to stand up to the Liz Truss wing” of his party.
But opponents of the ban include former prime ministers Liz Truss and Boris Johnson.
Truss dismissed the plans as “profoundly unconservative”, claiming it is evidence of the “nanny state” in action.
Meanwhile, Johnson said the legislation is “absolutely, absolutely nuts”.
Speaking at a conservative conference in Ottawa, the former prime minister hit out at some of the policies “being done in the name of conservatism”.
Johnson said the legislation is “absolutely, absolutely nuts”
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He told delegates: “I see my beloved party… we’re banning cigars. And what is the point?
“The party of Winston Churchill wants a ban. I mean, donnez-moi un break as they say in Quebec. It’s just mad.”
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Promoting the Bill, Prof Sir Chris Whitty, Chief Medical Officer for England, said: “Smoking kills and causes harm at all stages of life from stillbirths, asthma in children, stroke, cancer to heart attacks and dementia.
“This Bill, if passed, will have a substantial impact – preventing disease, disability and premature deaths long into the future.”
