Achi news desk-
However, the government decided it was a matter of conscience and allowed Tory ministers and backbenchers a free vote.
In the end, the Measure passed its first parliamentary hurdle by 383 votes to 67. Over 100 abstained.
The Bill would make it illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone born after January 1 2009, which includes children currently aged 15 or under.
Other high-profile rebels include Kemi Badenoch, the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, and one day favorite to replace Mr Sunak.
Writing on X before the vote, he said: “I have significant concerns and appreciate that the First Minister is making this a free vote. It gives me the opportunity to express my personal opinion, outside of collective responsibility.
“The principle of equality under the law is a fundamental one. It underlies many of my personal beliefs.”
He added: “We should not treat legally competent adults differently in this way, where people born on a different day will have different permanent rights.
“Among other reasons it will create difficulties with enforcement. This burden will fall not on the state but on private businesses.
“Smoking rates are already falling significantly in the UK and I think there is more we can do to stop children starting the habit.
“However, I do not support the approach this Bill takes and will therefore vote against it.”
Former prime minister Liz Truss also said she would not support the legislation, describing it as a “virtuous piece of legislation” from a “technocratic establishment” aimed at “restricting people’s freedoms.”
She said she was “disappointed” that a Tory Government was introducing it, She claimed there were enough “finger wagging, nanny control freaks” on the opposition benches who were willing to support the proposals, urging the Conservatives to “stand by our principles and our principles. ideals”.
Other former Conservative ministers backed the plans, with former health secretary Sir Sajid Javid criticizing colleagues for “choosing to stand up for big tobacco against the interests of their constituents”.
Steve Brine, the Conservative chairman of the Health Affairs Committee, suggested that small state Tories should support the measures to eliminate costs to the taxpayer.
“If you’re a Conservative and smaller state is your thing… you should be right behind a healthier society, one that needs less of the state, one that relies less on the state, one that costs less to the state,” he said.
Home Office minister Laura Farris, who started smoking at the age of 12, said she would support the plan to ban young people from being able to legally buy cigarettes.
“It took me years and years and years to quit. It’s one of my biggest regrets, to be honest.
“I have two young children now and the fact that they will never be able to walk into a shop and buy a pack of cigarettes is something I welcome.
“I have never met a single smoker who is glad they did it, wishes their children did it, can identify one health benefit or any other life benefit.
“It makes you crazy. It’s a horrible habit. And even when you do, you know you’re doing yourself irreparable harm. And it’s incredibly hard to get away from.”
Opposition health secretary Wes Streeting confirmed that Labor would give its “full” support to the Bill.
He added that his party was “only too happy to defend the Health Secretary against the siren voices of big tobacco” who have gathered him on the Tory benches.
The SNP’s Kirsten Oswald said any arguments about personal choice or personal freedom “make absolutely no sense when we’re talking about children and a highly addictive substance.”
He added: “Smoking is not a free choice; it is addiction. Nicotine is a terribly addictive substance. That is why this is a positive and necessary step.”
