What's happened
Conservative MP Sir Simon Clarke opposes Rishi Sunak's plan to ban tobacco sales to under-15s, warning it could make smoking 'cooler' and create a black market. He suggests education and taxation as better tools to deter smoking. The bill will be debated in parliament for the first time on Tuesday.
Why it matters
Sir Simon Clarke's opposition to the proposed ban on young people buying tobacco products highlights a debate within the Conservative Party on how to address smoking among the youth. His concerns about unintended consequences such as making smoking more appealing and creating a black market raise questions about the effectiveness of such a ban. The outcome of this debate could impact future tobacco control policies and public health initiatives.
What the papers say
The Independent reports Sir Simon Clarke's skepticism towards the ban, emphasizing his belief that education and taxation are more effective tools to deter smoking. The Mirror echoes Sir Simon's concerns, highlighting his view that an outright ban could lead to unintended consequences. The Telegraph covers Sir Simon's opposition to the ban, noting his argument that it could pave the way for further prohibitions on unhealthy products.
How we got here
Rishi Sunak's proposed tobacco and vapes bill aims to prevent anyone who turns 15 this year or younger from legally purchasing tobacco products in England. The bill reflects efforts to reduce smoking rates, particularly among young people, by implementing stricter regulations on access to tobacco. Sir Simon Clarke's opposition underscores differing perspectives within the Conservative Party on how best to address smoking among the youth.
Common question
More on these topics
-
Rishi Sunak is a British politician who has served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Leader of the Conservative Party since 2022.
-
Simon Richard Clarke is a British Conservative Party politician who is the Member of Parliament for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland. He was first elected in the 2017 general election and held his seat with a greatly increased majority in 2019.