In a surprising move, the Labour Party has come out in support of Chancellor Rishi Sunak's smoking ban. Even Angela Rayner, the party's deputy leader, was seen puffing on a vape at the party's conference yesterday.
A healthier alternative
Rayner, who was previously seen smoking cigarettes, seems to have kicked the habit with the help of a vape. This marks a significant change for the deputy leader, as she had been caught taking a cheeky drag of a cigarette in the past.
Labour's stance
Yesterday, Rachel Reeves, Labour's Shadow Chancellor, announced the party's support for the Tory government's plan to abolish smoking. However, she couldn't resist making a playful jab at the Conservatives, saying: "However, I do fear for the Conservative Party. With such a shortage of fag packets, what on earth are they going to write their next policy on?"
Rishi Sunak's crackdown
Chancellor Rishi Sunak is leading an ambitious effort to eliminate smoking in the UK. He plans to raise the legal age to purchase cigarettes every year until there are no smokers left. Sunak argues that smoking is the single biggest cause of preventable health issues and death, responsible for one in four cancer deaths.
A future without cigarettes
If Sunak's plans are implemented, a 14-year-old today will never legally be sold a cigarette. The proposed anti-smoking measures would gradually increase the smoking age, ultimately making it illegal for anyone to buy cigarettes. Sunak has also stated that the ban will be subject to a "free vote" in Parliament, giving MPs the freedom to vote according to their own beliefs rather than party lines.
