PM's flagship tobacco legislation among laws lost due to snap election
- The Tobacco and Vapes Bill was left out of a list of legislation passed by today
- Legislation would prohibit anyone born after 2009 from ever legally smoking
- Penny Mordaunt insisted Rishi Sunak is still 'passionate' about the legislation
Rishi Sunak's flagship anti-smoking legislation will be lost as a result of the snap election.
The Tobacco and Vapes Bill – which was backed by Labour but divided Conservative MPs – was left out of a list of legislation to be passed by the time Parliament prorogues today.
Sources have said there is no time to have a free vote on the matter as part of the 'wash-up' process – the period where the Government tries to pass legislation that is yet to receive royal assent.
Commons leader Penny Mordaunt insisted the legislation – which would prohibit anyone born after 2009 from ever legally smoking cigarettes – was something Mr Sunak still 'feels very passionately about'.
The ban was seen as a potentially key aspect of his political legacy should he lose the election.
Rishi Sunak 's flagship anti-smoking legislation will be lost as a result of the snap election
The Tobacco and Vapes Bill – which was backed by Labour but divided Conservative MPs – was left out of a list of legislation to be passed by the time Parliament prorogues today
The Prime Minister even mentioned the legislation in his speech announcing the election on Wednesday, saying it will 'ensure that the next generation grows up smoke free'.
But Ms Mordaunt's update to MPs failed to list the Bill in today's business.
Ministers do have the option to revive the Bill with an emergency statement today.
Mr Sunak said he would 'do everything I can to move these things forward, but it is dependent on the co-operation of other parties'.
The proposal caused friction within his party, with 58 Tory MPs voting against it.
Labour previously pledged to bring in the ban if it wins power.
Last night health spokesman Wes Streeting said: '[Mr Sunak] has killed his own legacy by mistake.'
Last night No 10 confirmed negotiations were ongoing about which pieces of legislation would be nodded through before prorogation.
The Football Governance Bill will also not proceed and there is doubt over Martyn's Law – legislation aiming to protect venues from terror attacks.
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development 2023 health report showed 12.7 per cent of Brits over the age of 15 smoke cigarettes daily, far higher than the US and New Zealand, the latter of which recently introduced a phased smoking ban
HISTORY OF SMOKING POLICY IN THE UK
2004: Ireland bans smoking in enclosed public places, including pubs, clubs and restaurants
2006: Scotland implements smoking ban on indoor public spaces
2007: England, Wales and Northern Ireland bring in indoor ban. In England, smoking is banned in almost all enclosed public spaces and the NHS goes smoke-free. Legal age to buy cigarettes raised from 16 to 18
2008: Cigarette companies told to feature pictorial health warnings on packets
2010: Government announces it will enforce tobacco display ban and consider plain packaging for tobacco products
2015: Smoking in cars with children banned in England and ban on the display of tobacco in small shops comes into force throughout the UK
2017: Government issues target to reduce smoking prevalence among adults to 12 per cent or less by 2022
2019: Department of Health publishes plans to make England smoke-free by 2030
2020: Menthol cigarettes are banned in the UK and EU
2023: Rishi Sunak's unveils radical plan to effectively ban kids born after 2009 from smoking
Read more