British lawmakers to vote on smoking ban for younger generations.

It is widely anticipated that the legislation will pass despite opposition, as the Labour party has indicated that it will back the proposal.

On April 16, British legislators will cast their votes on Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's proposal to outlaw the sale of cigarettes to anyone under the age of 15.

Even though it is anticipated to be passed, Mr. Sunak's plan to enforce some of the strongest anti-smoking laws in the world has infuriated certain members of his ruling Conservative Party, including former prime ministers Boris Johnson and Liz Truss, who believe that the government shouldn't meddle in people's personal lives.

On the bill, lawmakers will have a "free vote," which means they are not required to cast votes based on party affiliation. Before the Act took effect, the new coalition government of New Zealand repealed a similar law in 2024.

For Mr. Sunak, who has already been under fire in his party for everything from defence strategy to climate change, a significant Conservative uprising would be a further setback.

Before a later-year election that polls indicate the opposition Labour Party would win, the measure is one of Mr. Sunak's main priorities.

The goal of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill is not to criminalise tobacco use, but to make it impossible for any child born after 2009 to ever purchase tobacco products legally.

"The single biggest entirely preventable cause of ill-health, disability, and death" will be addressed, according to Mr. Sunak.

Medical professionals, organisations, and healthcare specialists strongly support the measure, citing the 80,000 annual fatalities from smoking as well as the other ailments associated to smoking.

However, Simon Clarke, a Conservative lawmaker, stated on BBC radio that a ban might be ineffective.

"It may even run the risk of making smoking more fashionable. It undoubtedly runs the risk of spawning a black market and posing an insurmountable obstacle for the law enforcement agencies," he remarked.

Labour has indicated that it will support the legislation, which is anticipated to pass despite the criticism. The bill will move on to the next phase of the legislative process if it is passed on April 16.