The ‘Tobacco and Vapes Bill’ published on March 20, 2024, has been supported by parliamentarians from across all major parties. They have pledged their support and polling shows voters for all major parties back raising the age of sale for tobacco by a substantial margin.

The YouGov poll for ASH found that two thirds of adults support smokefree generation legislation (14 per cent are opposed). Support is strongest among those who intend to vote for the two main parties in the general election (73 per cent of those intending to vote Conservative, 72 per cent Labour).

Bob Blackman, chairman of the APPG on Smoking and Health, said, “This bill is welcomed by the APPG and by our fellow backbenchers across both houses of parliament committed to protecting future generations from the death and disease caused by smoking. The prime minister will have our strong support to accelerate the passage of the bill and ensure that it is on the statute book before the general election.”

Mary Kelly Foy, vice chair of the APPG on Smoking and Health, said, "This bill will save lives and protect our communities by putting us on a path to a future where smoking is a dim and distant memory. Labour is backing this bill and will lend its votes to the government to get this legislation passed before the next election. There is no more time to waste."

Chris Rennard, a member of the House of Lords and vice chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Smoking and Health, said, “My mother did not choose to die of smoking and to leave me and my brothers as orphans when I was 16. Most smokers start in their youth and struggle to kick the habit. That’s why I don’t want them to take it up in the first place; it harms them and many others. There is strong public support which will ensure that the government can pass this legislation on a free vote, just as the previous coalition government introduced the ban on smoking in cars carrying children.”

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