England’s chief medical officer, Professor Sir Chris Whitty, has urged Liz Truss and her pro-libertarian allies not to oppose Rishi Sunak’s proposed smoking ban, citing the significant public health benefits it could bring.
The proposal, slated for official presentation in Parliament, seeks to prohibit individuals born after 2009 from legally purchasing tobacco products. It empowers ministers to oversee the regulation of e-cigarette flavors and promotion, aiming to tackle the worrisome increase in underage vaping.
Sir Chris Whitty emphasized the urgent need for action, warning that children’s lives are at stake without such drastic measures. He stressed the importance of curbing tobacco and e-cigarette use among young people, highlighting statistics that reveal a troubling trend of underage vaping, with one in five children having tried vaping despite legal restrictions.
The proposed smoking ban has faced criticism from opponents, notably former Prime Minister Liz Truss, who labeled the measures “illiberal.” However, Sir Chris and other medical chiefs argue that protecting children from addiction and potential harm should take precedence over individual liberties.
The plan includes provisions for council officers to issue on-the-spot fines to shops found violating the regulations, further underscoring the government’s commitment to enforcing the ban.
Despite opposition from some MPs, it is crucial to prioritize public health and safeguard the well-being of future generations by implementing stringent measures to deter underage smoking and vaping.
In a joint statement published in The Times, Sir Chris Whitty and 26 other medical experts emphasized the moral imperative of preventing the deliberate addiction of children and young adults to harmful substances, signaling strong support for the proposed smoking ban.