The region’s MPs are not fully on board with the UK Government’s plans to introduce the world’s only generational smoking ban.
MPs last week voted to pass the new smoking and vaping bill at the first hurdle in parliament, which the government says will protect children and create the UK’s first “smoke-free generation”.
The bill prevents anyone born after January 1, 2009 from purchasing tobacco products, and it also aims to make vapes less appealing to children. This would mean children aged 15 today will never be able to buy a pack of cigarettes.
However, critics argue that the smoking ban denies young people the right to make their own decisions when they become adults.
This is a sticking point for both Dumfries and Galloway MP Alister Jack and David Mundell, MP for Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale.
Mr Jack abstained from the vote, just like more than 100 of MPs who either abstained or were absent in parliament.
A spokesman for Mr Jack said: “This was a free vote and Mr Jack chose to abstain. He believes that adults should be able to choose whether to use tobacco or not.”
Meanwhile, Mr Mundell voted in favour of the bill at this early stage, with more debate and votes still to come on it.
He said: “I voted for this bill at stage two on the basis that I think that vaping needs to be more regulated, although I do have concerns about the smoking provisions in what is being proposed.”
Rishi Sunak’s controversial bill was passed through the House of Commons last Tuesday as Labour threw their weight behind it.
However, 58 Tory MPs voted against the bill, having been given a free vote by the government, meaning they had not been told which way to vote.
A further 106 MPs either abstained or were absent.
The plans have made headlines all across the globe, and many health experts and disease prevention organisations welcomed the progression of the bill at Westminster.
British Heart Foundation chief executive, Dr Charmaine Griffiths, said: “This landmark legislation to create a smoke-free generation has entered the House of Commons not a moment too soon. It is shocking that today smoking still takes so, so many lives across the UK, and tough measures must be taken to ensure future generations don’t die early because of tobacco.
“We welcome the government’s pledge to raise the age of sale for tobacco every year and take action to make vaping less appealing to young people.
“We know the vast majority of the public back this bill, and we urge MPs of all parties will get behind this life-saving legislation.”
While there are more debates to take place in parliament on the bill, it’s almost certain to become law later this year due to the support from Labour politicians.
