Voice: Do you support Rishi Sunak’s smoking ban? Join the independent debate

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Britain is considering banning the sale of tobacco to people born after 2009 in a bid to create a smoke-free generation. Do you think Rishi Sunak's controversial smoking ban is a good idea?

The Tobacco and Vapes Bill passed its first vote in the Commons with a majority of 316 votes this week.

Labour's support helped the bill defeat opposition led by Liz Truss. But notable figures in the Conservative Party, such as Kemi Badenoch, Robert Jenrick and Suella Braverman, voted against it.

Ms Truss denounced her successor's plan as "virtue signaling legislation aimed at protecting adults from themselves in the future."

The Secretary of State Health, Victoria Atkins, acknowledged these concerns, but countered: “Nicotine robs people of their freedom to choose. The vast majority of smokers start when they are young, and three-quarters say that if they could go back, they would not have started," she added.

The Former Health Secretary Lord Clarke, however, warned the move could be difficult to enforce.

"You will get to a stage where if you are 42 you will be able to buy them but. "Someone who is 41 won't be allowed to do that," he told the Telegraph. “Does that mean you'll have to show your birth certificate? That could prove very difficult to be implemented. Future generations will have to see whether it works or not”

In the end, 57 Conservative MPs defied Rishi Sunak's call. Support for the bill came from various parties. 178 Conservatives, 160 Labor MPs and others voting in favor

We want to know what you think are Sunak's plans to create a smoke-free generation the best way to eradicate smoking. ?

Or should people be free to choose to smoke if they want?

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