- By Chas Geiger
- Political reporter
Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak said he was “disappointed” that a bill to permanently ban legal young people from smoking would not be passed before the general election.
The tobacco and e-cigarette bill is not included in a package of legislation lawmakers are rushing to pass before the Legislature adjourns on Friday.
It will be illegal to sell tobacco to anyone born after January 1, 2009.
But Mr Sunak said the bill was “demonstration of the bold action I am prepared to take”.
“That’s who I am as prime minister. That’s the type of leadership I will provide.”
“I’m standing up to take bold action that will make a real difference to the future of our country.”
This measure, or something similar, could be reintroduced after polling day, with the Labour Party also backing a ban.
Speaking to reporters on the flight from Belfast, the Prime Minister gave no promise that a ban would be included in the Conservative manifesto but said he remained “very committed” to it.
The issue has been controversial among some conservatives, who see it as an attack on individual choice.
But speaking in Belfast as he continues his election campaign in the UK, he said: “At the end of a parliament there is always the normal process of considering what legislation can be passed in the time that is given.”
Regarding the smoking ban, he said, “Obviously it’s disappointing that we couldn’t pass it at the end of the session given the limited time we had.”
The Tenant Reform Bill, which was hoped would pave the way for an end to no-fault evictions in England, will also be scrapped, despite being included in the Conservative Party’s 2019 election manifesto.
Matthew Pennycook, Labour’s shadow housing minister, said: “The Conservatives’ decision to bow to vested interests and abandon their already weak rental housing reform bill undermines the promises they made to private renters five years ago.”
The Prime Minister highlighted the passing of a bill to quash the convictions of hundreds of sub-postmasters caught up in the Post Office Horizon scandal.
This will involve intensive negotiations between government and opposition leaders to determine which bills can be passed in the time remaining.
The government also promised to consider a bill that would allow compensation to be paid to victims of blood contamination cases.
Mr Sunak said: “I am pleased that we passed the Horizon Bill yesterday, which will enable us to deliver compensation and justice to the postmasters who have been so affected by what I have described as one of the worst wrongful convictions in history.”
“Today we will debate a bill that will ensure that compensation authorities for those affected by blood contamination cases receive the compensation they deserve. We are making progress.”
He said flights would return “if I’m re-elected”. Labour has pledged to reverse the plan if it comes to power, calling it a “scam from start to finish”.
