Rishi Sunak’s tobacco generational ban seems to still have legs as the Labor party pledges it will ensure the next generation can never legally buy cigarettes. Photo credit: Pixabay.
The UK's opposition Labor Party pledged to prevent the next generation from legally purchasing cigarettes if it wins the national election on July 4, according to Reuters.
Prime minister Rishi Sunak of the Conservative Party had attempted to introduce the tobacco ban, seen as a key component of his legacy as prime minister, but this plan did not pass into law before he called for an election, casting uncertainty over its future.
Labor leader Keir Starmer, whose party is leading in the polls, announced their policy platform promising political and economic stability along with improved health outcomes. "We must take preventative public health measures to tackle the biggest killers and support people to live longer, healthier lives. That starts with smoking," the manifesto document said.
"Labor will ensure the next generation can never legally buy cigarettes ... Labor will ban vapes from being branded and advertised to appeal to children to stop the next generation from becoming hooked on nicotine."
The next government will need to reintroduce the smoking ban through a new bill. It is uncertain how long this process will take and whether the next government will propose a revised version of this bill or maintain the current text.