Reform leads opposition to tobacco sales ban, Tories divided

Update to Wednesday's post about the Tobacco and Vapes Bill.

Led by Nigel Farage, Reform UK has tabled an amendment to remove the generational ban on selling tobacco products to people born on or after 1 January 2009.

Labour's huge majority means it is doomed to fail but it will hopefully be debated on the floor of the House of Commons during the report stage on Wednesday (March 26).

Fair play to Farage and Reform for at least tabling the amendment, something the Tories have failed to do despite Kemi Badenoch's opposition to the Bill.

Unfortunately the Conservative Party is hopelessly split on the issue, but if it goes to a vote it will be interesting to see how many Tory MPs support Reform’s amendment.

Likewise the amendment I mentioned in an earlier post that would replace the generational ban in favour of raising the legal sale of tobacco from 18 to 21.

That amendment has been tabled by the DUP's Sammy Wilson with the support of Conservative grandee Sir John Hayes.

Realistically, given the numbers, both amendments will fall but at least the Bill will face some opposition in the Commons before it moves on to the House of Lords.

See: Tobacco and Vapes Bill – amendments and exemptions