MPs finally passed the long-awaited smoking ban this evening, after Rishi Sunak failed to pass his landmark bill before the general election.
The strengthened legislation, which now goes further on vaping and advertising that the Tories’ bill initially went, passed by a large majority of 415 to 47.
While the legislation is the strongest in the world, Keir Starmer did concede ground on draft proposals to ban smoking in pub beer gardens, after warnings from the sector it would cripple them.
Speaking in the debate last night, Health Secretary Wes Streeting endorsed plans to ban smoking in certain outdoor spaces including playgrounds, and outside hospitals and schools.
He argued: “A new generation of children are getting hooked on nicotine, and there should be no doubt about the cause and no illusions that this has happened by accident.”
He added: “This is an industry that has cynically targeted its harmful products to kids. Action is long overdue. We promised to stamp this out in our manifesto, and this Bill delivers the change we promised.
“It will close loopholes that allow vapes to be sold or given away to children, provide powers to regulate the flavours, packaging and display of vapes, introduce on the spot fines of £200 for underage sales, and just as we took action on the advertising and sponsorship of tobacco products, we will bring the law into line for vaping products too.”
Opposition to the legislation was led by Kemi Badenoch, though numerous Tories backed Labour’s Bill in the un-whipped vote.
While she did not participate in the debate, a Tory Party spokesman said: “Kemi acted on her convictions in voting against the Bill once before.”
“Now Labour have made a bad Bill even worse and she will be voting against it once again.”
A Savanta poll suggests the core aim of the bill, to prevent anyone born after 2009 from being able to legally buy a cigaret, is backed by 59% of voters.
Lifelong smoker Nigel Farage blasted the Bill as ‘Cromwellian’ on his GB News show, but said he didn’t bother voting as it was clear it would pass with an enormous majority.