Boris Johnson says Rishi Sunak’s smoking ban is “absolutely nuts.” Photo credit: Chatham House, CC 2.0.
Boris Johnson criticized successor Rishi Sunak's smoking ban, labeling it as "absolutely nuts" while expressing his concerns about the direction of the Conservative party in the UK.
“When I look at some of the things we are doing now, or that are being done in the name of conservatism, I think they’re absolutely nuts,” he said.
During the Canada Strong and Free conference, Johnson remarked that it was "mad" for the party associated with Winston Churchill to be "banning cigars".
“The difference between us conservatives and our opponents is that every time, their instincts are always about control and exploitation and coercion, and taking your money and spending it on your behalf and regulating your life – and we are, on the whole, in favor of freedom,” Johnson said. “It’s that single Anglo-Saxon idea of freedom that I think unites conservatives – or should unite conservatives.”
Sunak's suggested smoking ban would prohibit individuals aged 15 or younger this year from ever purchasing tobacco products in the future. This policy has been met with criticism from the libertarian faction within the Conservative party, including former prime minister Lizz Truss who said a Conservative government “should not be seeking to extend the nanny state.”
Members of Parliament (MPs) are likely to have a free vote on the proposed legislation when MPs debate the legislation for the first time in the Commons. With support from both the government and the Labor party, the plan is anticipated to be approved.