The results of my consultationĀ showed little interest in the topic, with just 12 against and 6 in favour.Ā It has not been a subject coming up in doorstep conversations when I have been out and about in recent weeks, nor has it figured much in the email box.
Tonight we have a vote on the second reading of the Bill. It is likely to pass with a large majority as Labour and a majority of Conservative MPs are in favour. I have concernsĀ about how the ban on tobacco purchases will be enforced as it will be difficult for retailers to distinguish people by an annually changing age restriction. Smoking will not become an offence, so a younger person can ask an older person to buy for them. I look forward to clarification and amendment over impact and enforcement.
April 16, 2024
I would love to make a comment Sir John, unfortunately the moderation process seems to be interminably long when I do. Hey ho that is the cancel culture in play I suppose.
April 16, 2024
Another opportunity for the smuggling gangs and us oldies shopping for the banned
It will supplement our pension being ciggy mules.l
April 16, 2024
Another example of nanny state knows best. Or more accurately, an appalling example of the infantilising of adults. Our so-called conservative parliamentary representatives with the benefit of a still large majority of seats have forgotten that they were elected to protect our freedoms, including the freedom to make mistakes. They will get a well deserved reminder later this year.
April 16, 2024
There are many and significantly more important matters that require parliamentary time and/or legislation. I despair.
April 16, 2024
As if this country and our Parliament had nothing better to do. How is this pet vanity project going to be enforced? I/D cards are not mandatory in the UK, so how would the police be able to check the age of the young smoker? And what about young foreign tourists visiting? Will the police have time to check their credentials or will they prefer to catch real criminals and allow the young offenders to disappear in a puff of smoke? Surely this is going to create nightmares to police stations across this country?
I find it hard to believe that such an Act was even considered. It’s nonsensical and it’s doomed to go the same way as in the Prohibition Era in the USA during the 1920s and likewise enrich the real villains in the process too.
As if our country hasn’t enough troubles already, so why is the PM wasting Parliamentary time in pursuing this complete waste of paper and now given the RoTW more British stupid idiosyncrasies for them to laugh at and pity us. What has happened to OUR Great Britain?
April 16, 2024
Given how well Prohibition worked in 1920s America and UK successes in tackling drug trafficking and county lines, what could possibly go wrong with a ban on tobacco products?
April 16, 2024
Simple answer no ban, but just keep on raising the tax on tobacco products to help pay for the inevitable hospital treatment.
People can then make up their own mind !
April 17, 2024
There is never any justification for high handed actions by those that feel safe from their own creations.
Why has parliament become so nannyish?
So where is the driving force behind this – the anti-tobacco lobbyists perhaps?
Or is it somehow a small part of the WEF agenda, to both punish us and help ruin the economies of those growing the raw product?
April 17, 2024
This is plain daft and Sunak should be told not to waste precious time on it. Drug dealing and taking would be more beneficial to people. People are taking drugs and driving which is very dangerous besides the brain damage caused by drugs, doctor given or the other illegal way of purchase. The production and money making process which goes into drugs should be investigated. Fancy wasting time on this nonsense when you have the animal reforms way from complete.
April 17, 2024
It probably was not an issue people spoke to you about because it isnāt an issue people thought needed a law about, or waste your time as an MP to think about. Secure Borders, migration levels, crime, taxes all need consideration, not smoking.
Next, I think we should ban salt. After that, we can ban statins. And then, letās ban yeast! Yeast makes alcohol. Alcohol is bad. Minor impact on baking bread, but itās for the greater good.
The people screaming ānot-a-conservativeā party might have a point. What happened to a belief in the rights of an individual? Making good and bad choices is a part of life.
April 17, 2024
Perhaps the PM should drop this daft idea and replace it with some sort of cost penalty applied to long term smokers who refuse to stop, when they require constant NHS treatment for any associated ailment?
April 20, 2024
The whole ‘Nanny State’ idea is both crass and ridiculous and Parliament should spend more time on enforcing present legislation. Where will it end?