Smoking ban: Sunak considers crackdown on cigarettes for next generation

Rishi Sunak could ban smoking as part of a crackdown to phase out the use of cigarettes for the next generation. The prime minister is said to be looking at measures similar to those introduced by  New Zealand last December, which involved steadily increasing the legal smoking age. Last year a major review led by Dr Javed Khan backed England following the proposals, which suggested that if implemented by 2026, anyone aged 15 and under now would never be able to buy a cigarette. The step would be part of what is thought to be a new consumer-focused drive by the government before next year’s election, Whitehall sources told The Guardian . The Conservatives, who are 20 percentage points behind Labour, according to the latest Ipsos poll, are thought to be scrambling for new ideas to boost their popularity. In December, New Zealand  banned the sale of tobacco to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009, while decreasing the number of retailers selling cigarettes. The aim was to make the country smoke-free by 2025 and save the health system billions of dollars. The latest plans come as the UK government is planning to ban single-use vapes after concerns that children could become addicted to them. Disposable vapes come in sweet and fruity flavours, such as pink lemonade and gummy bear, and are sometimes placed near sweets or the front counters of shops. The Department of Health and Social Care is set to launch a consultation on a ban after leading medical institutions, including the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, called for action to protect children’s health. Mr Sunak may also revive an idea he made during his party leadership campaign to fine people £10 for missing a GP or hospital appointment. He scrapped the plan after getting into office last year. A No 10 spokeswoman said that, after listening to GPs, the government decided it was ‘not the right time’ for the policy. The prime minister this week sparked a furious civil war in the Tory party after  backtracking on a key government climate pledge  to reach net zero. Downing Street has not denied that the prime minister could accept a recommendation to ban cigarette sales to young people.