Rishi Sunak proposes comprehensive smoking reforms: stricter regulations on vaping and an incremental ban on cigarettes aimed at improving public health.
During the recent Tory Party Conference, Rishi Sunak announced a huge smoking reform, one that will implement stricter laws for smokers living in the United Kingdom.
The Prime Minister outlined his plans to raise the legal age to purchase cigarettes by one year every year, meaning that a fourteen-year-old today would never legally be able to buy tobacco.
Sunak said:
“Four in five smokers have started by the time they’re 20.
“Later, the vast majority are trying to quit, but fail because they’re addicted, and they wish they had never taken up the habit in the first place.”
If the Prime Minister’s plan is implemented, the UK would become the first in Europe to ban the sales of cigarettes to young people….in a bid to promote the next generation to grow up smoke-free.
Sunak has stated that the vote in parliament on this matter will be ‘free’, insisting how unfair it would be to take away the rights of current smokers through a drastic change in the law.
The incremental style ban mimics closely the ban in New Zealand, with ministers in the UK hoping that by copying this system, current pressures on the NHS will be eased.
However, the Conservative Party have not put all their focus into the new smoking system, but are also doubling down on their intent to shift vape restrictions in the UK.
In a video posted to Facebook, Sunak said:
“As any teacher or parent knows, we also need to crack down on youth vaping, so we’re consulting on that too.
“By reducing their appeal and accessibility to children.”
The Party aspire to do this by introducing restrictions on flavours, packing displays, and monitoring the way disposable vapes are currently sold and consumed across the country.
Responses, as always, have been mixed, with some celebrating the idea of a smoke-free generation, and others struggling to believe that promises will be delivered.
One user on Facebook said:
“I actually agree with this excellent idea”
An optimistic response that was quickly contradicted by a swarm of angry voters all wishing to have their voices heard.
Another user stated:
“I think this is absolutely ridiculous. The UK Government profits off the sale of cigarettes and vapes. It’s a known fact.”
The debates across both Twitter and Facebook display an overt distrust from the public towards the Conservative Party, with one comment reading: “Promises the moon on a stick -in ten years, it’s irrelevant.”
Despite receiving an onslaught of applause from party members during his speech, it is clear that the foundations of Sunak’s promises have not paved the way for a trusting population.
This in light of the ‘Swap to Stop’ programme introduced by Sunak earlier this year – a system where smokers had access to free vape devices – makes these drastic transformations seem like a desperate scramble for immediate change.
Discover more news from the vape industry
Enjoyed this story? Head over to the ‘News‘ section of the website to discover more vaping-related stories from Vapouround.
