Downing Street Braced For Smoking Ban Snub From Dozens Of Tory MPs

Government is braced for potentially dozens of Conservative MPs to refuse to back Rishi Sunak's smoking ban when the legislation is put to a House of Commons for the first time on Tuesday.

Under the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which will undergo its second reading tomorrow, nobody aged 15 or younger will be able to legally buy cigarettes at any point in their lives. Ministers will do this by raising the legal age one year every year until it is phased out altogether, subject to parliamentary approval. 

Sunak announced the move at last year's Conservative party conference in Manchester. It is seen as an issue that the Prime Minister cares deeply about and regards as part of his legacy.

"This is Rishi's thing. He feels very strongly about this," said one former secretary of state.

On Monday, Sunak's official spokesperson issued a strongly-worded defence of the legislation, telling reporters: "We would encourage MPs to recognise the enormous benefits to the health and wealth of the nation as a result of this bill.

"The PM has made it  clear that to build a better future for our children, we need to tackle the single biggest, entirely preventable cause of ill health, disability and death, which is smoking."

The plan is supported by Keir Starmer's Labour and other opposition parties, meaning it is almost certain to receive House of Commons backing tomorrow.

However, it is opposed by a number of Conservative MPs in the libertarian wing of the parliamentary party, who argue that it is not for the state to dictate individual lifestyle choices to this extent.

PoliticsHome understands that No 10 and the Whips are braced for a significant number of Tory backbenchers to express their disapproval on Tuesday. One former Cabinet minister