The generational smoking ban is (slowly) making its way through parliament, as part of Labour’s plan to ban nicotine purchases for anyone born after 1 January 2009. The plans – first announced by Rishi Sunak – are being eagerly pushed through by Wes Streeting, despite Mr S pointing out a potential breach of the Windsor Framework with regards to tobacco sales in Northern Ireland.
Some parliamentarians, though, do not feel the current ban goes far enough. So now Lord Bethell – best remembered as Matt Hancock’s chief lockdown lieutenant – has now tabled a little-noticed amendment in the Upper House. It inserts a new clause to the text, advocating ‘complete prohibition of tobacco products from 2040.’ How liberal! Bethell’s accompanying explanatory statement says:
This amendment preserves the generational approach to phasing out tobacco while establishing a backstop date of 1 January 2040 for complete prohibition. The amendment also requires the Secretary of State to develop a comprehensive implementation strategy.
Britain’s best politics newsletters
You get two free articles each week when you sign up to The Spectator’s emails.
Already a subscriber? Log in
Comments
Join the debate for just £1 a month
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for £3.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just £1 a monthAlready a subscriber? Log in