SUNAK'S 'SMOKE-FREE GENERATION' PLAN LEAVES PEOPLE IN LONDON DIVIDED

The Prime Minister has taken one step closer to the UK having the world's first 'smoke-free generation'.

The House of Commons this evening overwhelmingly approved the second reading of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, inching the government closer to enforcing in law that anyone born after January 1 2009 will never be able to legally buy cigarettes.

It would also give the Government powers to tackle youth vaping, with restrictions on flavours and new rules on packaging and selling vapes.

However people across the country remain divided on whether it would benefit the next generation and successfully prevent them from taking up the dangerous habit or whether the controversial proposal infringes on peoples freedoms.

MailOnline went out onto the streets of London, Newcastle and Manchester to see what the public thought of the measures.

On Oxford Street nine year-old Charlotte, who will be effected by the introduction of the new laws, supported the measures, she said: 'The children of today don't want to be poisoning their lungs.'

Similarly Sam West, 34, thought that the implication of a ban can only be a good thing, as 'if you never start you can never become addicted.'

However ex-smoker Tracey, 54, who smoked for 20 years said how glad she was that she finally quit, but that ultimately 'it's about freedom.'

She added: 'We should be allowed to do what we want to do. I have kids, and I don't want them to smoke, but it's a choice.'

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who views the ban as a key part of his long-term legacy, had allowed MPs a free vote on the issue.

Despite the Bill passing its first Commons hurdle, he will still be nervously waiting to see the size of a Tory backlash against the legislation after key figures on Conservative right-wing spoke out against it.

Nadine, 34, also opposed the ban arguing that it is the responsibility of the parents to look after their children and prevent them from starting when young.

'For minors, protect them, but I feel like once you are over the age of eighteen, if you can drink alcohol then you should be able to smoke.'

Leading experts say Mr Sunak's ban could save thousands from dying prematurely and pocket the cash-strapped NHS vital extra billions.

81-year-old Jim said it is terrible that people get caught up in smoking at all as he 'absolutely' backed the government plans as there is no doubt it is 'dangerous'.

He added: 'Cancer is a slow killer' and it is either coming from the 'smoke or the nicotine. So it is dangerous.'

'I absolutely back the government plans.'

People in Newcastle seem more convinced by the Government bill and argue that they wish the law had been enforced when they were teenagers.

Christina Keall has daughters aged ten and eight and thinks the law can only be a positive thing for youngsters like them.

The 32-year-old smoker said: 'If this ban was put in place when I was younger then I don't think I would be smoking today so I think it's a good idea.

'I wouldn't have been able to get my hands on the cigarettes so easily had a law like this been in place when I was that age.

'I was 13 when I first started. You could say they were for your mother, that's just what people did then.

'Young people these days make themselves look a lot older so you get people who will sell them anything so it might not stop the whole problem.

'But I do think it's a good idea because it should entice young people away from it.

'It's also a good idea to get rid of the colour on vape packages and to make it more plain because all we're doing now is attracting kids.

'I think parents with kids who are turning 15 will be happy but they can't be with them 24/7 to stop them if they're getting cigarettes off other people.'

Christina's mother Anegla also agreed with the proposal.

The 58-year-old said: 'I hadn't heard about it before today but I think it's a good idea.

'I wouldn't have started smoking myself if there was more protection like this years ago when I was younger.

'To be honest, I think the Government should have done something like this sooner.

'My other son has actually quit smoking and he's on the vapes so people can stop but it's hard to do.

'I do also think they should do more to stop cigarettes and vapes being sold online where they are cheaper.'

If passed, the bill will also see increased powers passed to enforcement officers who will be able to hand on-the-spot fines of £100 if retailers are found breaching it.

Chelsea Louise, from nearby Wallsend, who also smokes, said: 'I think it's an absolutely fantastic idea.

'I do follow the news and I didn't know about this but it has made my day.

'I shouldn't be smoking and I'm 34, so we should definitely be helping protect children for when they get older.

'You do see smaller shops sell cigarettes to young people so I think this would be fantastic.

'Kids are also attracted to the beautiful colours and nice names on vape packages so that can only be a good thing too if that is stripped back.

'I just wish I had this when I was younger.'

Victoria Riley, 34, doesn't touch cigarettes but agreed with the Government's decision.

The accounts team leader from near Sunderland, said: 'I am all for the ban because there's a lot of evidence saying smoking causes cancer and so many ailments in the body.

'So it can only be good for the younger generation if they're not given the opportunity to go down that path.

'A lot of the older generation still smoke now because it's all that they've known so it's all about changing behaviour patterns.

'If we can change people's mentality at a young age it can only be a good thing.'

Penny Thurlow used to smoke regularly before she quit for vaping.

The 37-year-old carer said: 'The cost is going up so much so I'm not sure how people can afford cigarettes now.

'When I was young we'd ask older people to go to the shop so I'm not sure it would have helped me plus there is freedom of choice.

'But it is a good idea to make the vapes more plain to try to stop younger people getting on them.

'They do that now because they think it's cool just like we did with cigarettes when we were young.

'I started smoking when I was around 12 but I stopped two years ago and moved onto vapes.'

However, Tony Waters thinks the bill is a bad call and described the UK as a nanny state.

The 59-year-old retired bouncer, who also turned to vaping after smoking, said: 'I heard it on the radio but I don't think it should be up to the Government.

'They are there to govern the country not tell people what to do.

'I only started smoking when I was 40 and I stopped it after a few years but everyone has a right to smoke if they want, just like with alcohol.

'We live in a nanny state. If you are going to stop the cigarettes then stop the alcohol as well.'

However, people in Manchester were much more weary of the imposition from the government, arguing that the public should have a right to chose.

Jackie Fisher, 57, said: 'I'm of a generation that remembers when smoking was allowed in pubs, clubs, restaurants and even on planes. Your clothes would always stink after a night out.'

The HR manager added: 'I don't smoke but don't force my views on others.

'If they want to smoke, I think it is their right to choose.

'I feel the government is meddling too much in people's lives.

'I also don't think kids taking up smoking is the biggest issue. Years ago, you'd see children in school uniforms having a sneaky cigarette but not so much now.

'Vaping is a bigger problem than smoking amongst teenagers.'

Plumber Ross Andrew, 27, said: 'I don't agree with the proposals.

'The government shouldn't be dictating what we can or can't do.

'I appreciate the impact of smoking has on health and the NHS, but people must take some responsibility for their actions and lives.

'You cannot spoon feed people throughout their lives as it's not good for society in general.'

Harvey Simon, 31, a bank worker, said: 'I'm getting slightly tired and annoyed with MPs telling us what we can and can't do.

'I don't actually see many teenagers smoking. They vape but don't smoke cigarettes.

'We are being told what type of cars we can drive, what food we can eat and now whether the future generations should be allowed to smoke.

'What will be next?'

Alex Daniels, 59, said: 'Anything that improves a person's health is a good thing.

'Times have changed, and the health dangers of smoking have been known for some time now.

'Illnesses caused by smoking puts a huge amount of pressure on the health service.

'My grandad used to smoke, and his house always used to smell of smoke and the wallpaper was stained yellow with nicotine.

'Before he died, he really struggled with his breathing, and I think that was down to him smoking 20 cigarettes a day.'

2024-04-16T19:04:34Z dg43tfdfdgfd