Rishi Sunak's smoking ban bill set to be shelved due to election

[JohnS]

Rishi Sunak's smoking ban bill set to be shelved due to election

By Paul Seddon & Vicki Young, BBC News

Rishi Sunak's flagship bill to eventually ban smoking looks set to be shelved after he called a surprise July general election.

The prime minister would not guarantee the law would pass before Parliament shuts down for the election on Friday.

Talks between the government and opposition parties over which bills to rush through before then are ongoing.

Labour has previously pledged to bring in the ban if it wins power at the election on Thursday 4 July.

Mr Sunak also remains committed to creating a "smoke-free generation" and the ban is likely to feature in the Conservative manifesto.

The proposed law would prevent anyone born after 2009 from legally smoking by gradually raising the minimum age to buy cigarettes from the current level of 18.

'Absolutely nuts'

In an update to MPs, Commons leader Penny Mordaunt did not include the bill among those currently scheduled to be debated before Friday.

Speaking to the BBC in Wales, Mr Sunak declined to say whether the bill would be included.

"I will do everything I can to move these things forward, but it is dependent on the co-operation of other parties," he added.

The bill only began its journey through the House of Commons last month. It is yet to be debated in the House of Lords, which makes it more difficult for it to be passed quickly.

Under the government's plan, the age rises were not due to begin until 2027. It would not affect those who can currently buy cigarettes.

It has faced a backlash from Tory MPs, with 58 of them, including some of Mr Sunak's ministers, voting against it in the Commons last month after the PM granted them a free vote.

Ex-prime minster Boris Johnson has also led Tory opposition outside Parliament, branding the plan "absolutely nuts".

'Wash up'

A victims bill that authorises payments to those affected by the infected blood scandal looks set to pass in the accelerated process to endorse bills, known as the "wash-up".

The government has announced that the House of Lords will debate the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill on Friday, meaning it may become law before the dissolution of Parliament.

Legislation to pay compensation to victims of the Post Office Horizon scandal was passed by Parliament on Thursday evening.

But bills that are at risk include legislation to deliver a Tory manifesto promise to ban "no fault" evictions in England, and set up a regulator for English football.

Mr Sunak highlighted the smoking ban in his speech announcing the election on Wednesday, in a signal it would feature in the Tory election manifesto.

He said: "We will ensure that the next generation grows up smoke free."

It would have eventually made the UK the first country in the world to ban adults from buying tobacco, and had been seen as a political legacy for Mr Sunak if the Tories are not re-elected.

Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-69053763

[JohnS]

U.K. Smokefree Generation Bill In Danger After Election Announcement

Victoria Forster

The U.K.'s ban on smoking and vaping for young people will likely not be made law soon after Prime ... [+] GETTY

Legislation to make it illegal to sell any kind of tobacco products to young people in the U.K. looks likely not to make into law after U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called a surprise election yesterday.

The "Smokefree Generation" legislation would have made it illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone born on or after the January 1, 2009, essentially meaning people born after that date would never be legally allowed to buy tobacco products. In what was seen as an unusual success for the governing conservative party, the bill had been roundly supported by a cross-partisan collection of parliamentarians.

TOPSHOT - Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak delivers a speech to announce the date of the UK's ... [+] AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES

However, the bill looks set to fall at the last hurdle as it has not been included on the "wash-up" list of legislation to be pushed through before the dissolution of parliament and start of campaigning.

The bill had been roundly welcomed by U.K. health charities and anti-smoking campaign groups and had proceeded through parliament despite pressure from tobacco lobbyists.

“If the Government confirm the Tobacco and Vapes Bill will not make it through wash-up, this will be a disheartening day for people affected by cancer, health professionals and campaigners who have worked tirelessly on the legislation," said Michelle Mitchell, chief executive of Cancer Research U.K., which was heavily involved in developing and promoting the bill.

According to Cancer Research U.K., smoking kills one person every five minutes in the country and is responsible for an estimated 55,000 cancer deaths annually, more than a quarter of all deaths due to cancer.

The bill would have also given the government powers to reduce the appeal of e-cigarettes, also known as "vapes," to children by restricting vape liquid flavors, requiring plain, non-colorful packaging and placing restrictions on how such products are displayed in stores.

"Preventing cancer and saving lives should transcend party politics. It’s vital that all parties commit in their manifestos to bring this Bill back in the first King’s Speech after the General Election. Let’s prioritise this world-leading legislation and help cancers caused by smoking become a thing of the past," said Mitchell.

Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/victoriaforster/2024/05/23/uk-smokefree-generation-bill-in-danger-after-election-announcement/

[MagicalBikeRide]

[MrBirdman]

12 minutes ago, MagicalBikeRide said:

Exactly. Barring a huge upset in July this probably only delays the law until Labor takes over. 

[99call]

As a smoker, I'm torn. Whilst I do feel huge sympathy for the choices of a younger generation, I also personally know how horribly addictive and brutal cigarettes can be to you health and wellbeing and getting rid of them is a priority. I am actually in favour of this ban, and whilst I would like a carve out for cigars, and pipe tobacco. I think anyone with a switched on brain will always be able to find a way to buy. As the Tories themselves always prove...there's always a loop hole to exploit. 

In other news. YES! YES! YES!  Happy early 4th of July everyone! I will be celebrating by flushing this repulsive, crooked, band of sociopathic ghouls down the electoral toilet. May they never ever..........................ever return. Never forgive! Never forget!

[Jack]

13 hours ago, 99call said:

As the Tories themselves always prove...there's always a loop hole to exploit. 

Physician mandated, as a prescription for nerves?  Seems logical.

"To the compounding Chemist - please provide tobacco inhalation combination consisting of 20% ligero leaf, a binder of...."

While that would raise the price it will at least be covered by the NHS!

[99call]

4 hours ago, Jack said:

While that would raise the price it will at least be covered by the NHS

I would love to be prescribed a box of coronas claro by my Doctor. They sooth all my ills. 

Makes me a little sad thinking of Nino and all the great stories he posted of his local community pharmacist/cigar divan. RIP

[Uwiik]

But you can smoke everything else all you want 🤣 Too smart for my feeble third world brain to comprehend.