Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 05:09pm on 16 Apr 2024,Tuesday International
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak confronts opposition to his proposal to ban smoking for under-15s as Parliament debates the Tobacco and Vapes Bill. The legislation aims to create a smoke-free generation, raising the smoking age annually. Health Secretary Victoria Atkins asserts the bill's importance in saving lives and reducing NHS strain. Critics, including former PMs, oppose it as restrictive. The law targets early prevention, with fines for selling tobacco to minors. Advocates hail it as a milestone, aiming to relegate smoking to history. The bill also regulates vaping to deter youth consumption, citing health concerns and economic burdens of smoking.
