An American politician has called on the British government to stop and revisit proposals for a flagship new law, which he says will fuel the black market trade and make people less safe. Labour came to power promising to pick up Rishi Sunak’s proposed generational smoking ban, which failed to pass before the election.
The law, the passing of which is now massively delayed, would ensure that anyone currently aged 15 or younger is never allowed to buy cigarettes even after turning 18. Despite Health Secretary Wes Streeting promising to pass the bill into law, it is facing widespread criticism, including allegations it breaks international law and could fuel the lucrative black market.Today a US member of the House of Representatives has written to two of Donald Trump’s senior ministers with a stark warning for Keir Starmer’s government.
David Rouzer, who represents North Carolina’s 7th district in the lower house of Congress, has said that the Tobacco and Vapes Bill will harm both Britons and his own constituents.
The letter, seen by the Daily Express, argues that the UK Government’s legislation will “do little to limit smoking itself”, and instead “create a black market where products are sold completely unregulated and without strict enforcement mechanism.”
“Steep tax increases and lax enforcement mechanisms are already fuelling a rise in the illicit cigarette market across the United Kingdom and Europe. This policy will only exacerbate this illegal trade.
“Not only does the generational ban further it, the ban directly benefits organised crime and hurts American tobacco growers because they use tobacco from less-regulated countries with which they have strong ties.”
The letter was addressed to Howard Lutnick, Secretary of Commerce, and Jamieson Greer, the US Trade Representative.
Mr Rouzer continued: “Recognising [the] special relationship, it is only appropriate our two nations work together to recognise a range of important policy and regulatory matters, and tobacco control should be no different.
“I appreciate your attention to this important matter as we collectively work to further strengthen our critical and important bond with Great Britain.”
He called on President Trump’s appointees to “convey to Parliament the need to revisit their current proposal and instead pursue reasonable, science-based regulations.”
The letter is an awkward intervention by a US politician, coming at the same time as Donald Trump’s state visit to Britain.
In June Sir Keir was warned by former Justice Secretary Robert Buckland KC that his nanny ban on tobacco risks breaking international law.
Mr Buckland, who voted in favour of the Bill before the last general election, has said that the ban as currently drafted is a “legal mess” which will unravel the Windsor Framework agreement with the EU.
The former cabinet minister and chairman of the Commons’ Northern Ireland select committee said the nanny state law will head “straight for the courts” if the Prime Minister presses ahead.
He demanded that the government “hit pause”, and either negotiate an exemption for the ban from the Windsor Framework or make the legislation only apply to Great Britain.