British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's legislative initiative to permanently ban those born after 2009 to buy cigarettes, was passed in the first reading in the British Parliament, although several of his party members voted against it, reported Reuters, quoted by BTA.
Sunak's intention to impose some of the world's strictest anti-smoking rules has sparked outrage among some in his Conservative Party, including former prime ministers Liz Truss and Boris Johnson, who believe that the state should not interfere in people's private lives.
The British Parliament passed the bill with 383 votes "for" vs. 67 "against". This means that it now goes to a second reading, and between the two readings it can be amended.
When voting in the plenary hall, deputies had the right to vote according to their conscience, regardless of party discipline. Earlier this year, New Zealand abandoned a similar law after the new coalition that came to power there repealed it before it could take effect.
But the fact that several Conservatives voted against Sunak's plan, including Business and Trade Minister Kemi Badenoch, was another nasty surprise for the prime minister, who had already come under fire in his own party on a number of issues, starting with from climate change and comes to defense policy, notes Reuters.
The bill is one of Sunak's signature initiatives ahead of this year's parliamentary elections, which polls suggest will be won by the opposition Labor Party.
The Tobacco and Vapes Bill is designed to prevent children born after 2009 from ever being able to buy cigarettes, but not to criminalize the habit.
Sunak said its passage would "remove one of the greatest completely preventable threats to human health".