Huge law change for smokers and vapers will get MPs vote this week

Public health minister Andrew Gwynne urged his fellow MPs to vote for the change when it returns to the Commons on Tuesday

MPs have been urged to back a bill to create a ‘smoke free generation’ when it returns to the Commons this week.

The Tobacco and Vapes Bill will ban the sale of tobacco to people born after January 2009 – meaning anyone aged 15 or under will never be allowed to buy tobacco products in their lifetime.

And it will prohibit smoking outside hospitals and children’s parks.

“Smoking is a poison,” Public Health minister Andrew Gwynne told the Sunday Mirror.

“It’s deliberately designed to be addictive, stealing your quality of life, your health, and your liberty.”

A bill to ban young people from ever being able to smoke legally was first brought in by Rishi Sunak last year.

But it stalled, and was ditched when the election was called – which the ex-PM said was “disappointing”.

Labour committed to take the policy forward as part of a broadened tobacco and vapes bill.

The bill will also ban the advertising and sponsorship of all vapes and other nicotine products.

And it will allow the government to expand the outdoor public places where smoking is banned – with ministers considering extending smoke-free places to outside schools, playgrounds and hospitals.

But Ministers are no longer mulling a ban on smoking outside pubs, after an outcry when the idea was leaked to the media.

Mr Gwynne added: “No one wants to see any young person succumb to debilitating diseases – including lung cancer, heart disease, and stroke – that could have easily been prevented with this crucial public health intervention.

“The Tobacco and Vapes Bill will also tackle the scourge of youth vaping, intervening before an entire generation is hooked on a new addiction.

“I urge my fellow MPs to be on the right side of history – focus on saving lives and the economy, and vote in favour of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill.”