Plans to effectively ban smoking in the UK and create a 'smoke-free generation' has inched nearer as MPs backed a second reading of the Government's bill.

The Prime Minister's proposal to ban young people from ever being able to legally smoke cleared its first Commons hurdle yesterday.

The historic Tobacco and Vaping Bill would see restrictions placed on the sale of cigarettes in the country, meaning those born in or after 2009 will never be able to buy tobacco products and result in an effective ban.

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The government says shops in England and Wales caught selling tobacco and vapes to underage people will also be hit with £100 on-the-spot fines.

The Bill passed its second reading by 383 votes to 67, with a majority of 316.

Some 178 Conservatives supported the Bill alongside 160 Labour MPs, 31 SNP MPs, five Liberal Democrats, three Plaid Cymru MPs, two independents, and the Alliance Party’s Stephen Farry.

However, a swathe of Conservative MPs objected and abstained on the vote in a blow to Sunak's authority.

Among those voting against were former home secretary Suella Braverman, Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch, former Home Office minister Robert Jenrick, former prime minister Liz Truss, and former housing secretary Sir Simon Clarke.

Conservative MP Nick Fletcher told the Commons the proposed ban is evidence of "the creation of that nanny state".

He added: "If we take more and more decisions away from adults, then more adults will continually rely more and more on the state to make decisions for them.

"This is not a good thing and sadly will only create more powerful Governments and weaker individuals.”

But Rishi Sunak said he "entirely" agrees with Professor Sir Chris Whitty’s arguments in favour of a smoking ban.

A No 10 spokeswoman said: “The Prime Minister is in agreement with the Chief Medical Officer that the majority of smokers wish that they had never started and believe that their choices as a result have been taken away by addiction.

“It’s important to take action against the single biggest preventable cause of ill health and the Chief Medical Officer has the Prime Minister’s full support in doing that important work.

“There is debate in the House. It’s a free vote just as previous interventions on smoking were.”

Tory MPs voting against the Bill were joined by seven DUP MPs, Reform Party MP Lee Anderson, and Workers Party of Britain MP George Galloway.

Meanwhile, Wes Streeting said a Labour government would implement the smoking ban.

Labour’s shadow health secretary said: “Rishi Sunak put this bill at risk by granting a free vote, because he is too weak to stand up to the Liz Truss-wing of his party.

“Labour first proposed a progressive ban on smoking more than a year ago, and it was only thanks to Labour MPs that this bill passed.

“If we are privileged enough to form the next government, Labour will implement this ban, so young people today are even less likely to smoke than they are to vote Conservative.”

British Heart Foundation chief executive Dr Charmaine Griffiths also backed the plans, saying: “We are absolutely delighted that MPs have backed the Tobacco and Vapes Bill at its Second Reading today.

“Smoking has an immense and unacceptable toll on our nation’s health, with at least 15,000 lives being lost due to cardiovascular disease each year in the UK.

“This vital legislation is a game changer and will ensure that future generations are protected from the devastating consequences of smoking.

“Decisive action is now needed to put an end to this public health tragedy – we urge politicians of all parties to get behind this historic legislation as it progresses through Parliament, so that it swiftly passes into law.”

Among those backing the proposals include all of Oldham's Labour MPs.

Debbie Abrahams MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth, Jim McMahon MP for Oldham West and Royton and the deputy leader of the opposition, Angela Rayner MP for Ashton-under-Lyne and Failsworth, all voted for the Tobacco and Vapes Bill.

The MPs have been contacted for comment.

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