UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s proposed ‘smokefree generation’ bill faces resistance from within his own party, including from figures like Liz Truss and Boris Johnson, despite support from the Health Secretary and the opposition.
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is dealing with internal party challenges regarding his proposal for a ‘smokefree generation’. The proposed legislation aims to ban tobacco sales to individuals born after January 1, 2009, with an intention to prevent future generations from starting smoking. This proposal has faced some pushback from prominent Conservative figures, including Liz Truss and former Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
The legislation not only targets the reduction of smoking rates among the youth but also includes regulatory measures on vaping and other nicotine products. Health Secretary Victoria Atkins has backed the bill, emphasizing its potential to significantly benefit public health and alleviate strains on the National Health Service (NHS). The opposition Labour Party, represented by shadow health secretary Wes Streeting, has also voiced strong support, indicating readiness to back the bill despite criticism from some Conservative MPs.
In a separate development, Liz Truss, in an interview with the Daily Express, discussed the challenges faced in securing a post-Brexit trade deal with the US during the presidency of Donald Trump. Truss attributed the failure to secure the deal to internal resistance from key figures during Theresa May and Boris Johnson’s governments, specifically naming Dominic Cummings and Michael Gove. She highlighted missed opportunities and the bureaucratic hurdles that she believes compromised key negotiation moments.
These developments underline ongoing political dynamics where public health initiatives and international trade discussions continue to provoke debate within the United Kingdom’s political landscape.
