The new health secretary has voted to repeal the smoking ban in the stance of smoke-free legislation

Exclusive:

New Deputy Prime Minister Therese Coffey has taken a long-standing stance against smoke-free legislation and backed a motion calling for a review of its impact on clubs

Therese Coffey voted to repeal the smoking ban (

Image: Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

New Health Secretary Therese Coffey, a cigar eater, voted to repeal the smoking ban and accepted hospitality from Big Tobacco.

The new Deputy Prime Minister has taken a long-standing stance against smoke-free legislation and backed a motion calling for a review of its impact on private clubs.

The new Prime Minister's best friend Liz Truss also opposed the 2011 ban on smoking in vehicles with children present.

That year she received £1,100 in gifts and hospitality from Gallaher Ltd, a multi-billion pound multinational tobacco company

Phil Chamberlain, Associate Professor at the University of Bath and head of its tobacco control research group, said: "Liz Truss promises to hold the NHS, but the only thing she delivers is the gift wrapped NHS to the tobacco industry.

Phil Chamberlain is Associate Professor at the University of Bath and leader of its Tobacco Control Research Group

“Therese Coffey not only accepted tobacco hospitality, but voted against tobacco regulations that save lives.

"The science was clear, the evidence was strong, and public health experts were in favor - but Coffey still voted no.

“It is deeply worrying to think what Coffey will do the next time vital public health proposals cross her desk. Unless she changes her track record, the burden on the NHS will only increase .

"Regulations require the tobacco industry to be kept out of all government decision-making, but thanks to Liz Truss, she's already in Cabinet."