April 17th 2024.
Last night, the House of Commons made a significant decision by voting in favor of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill. The bill aims to restrict the purchase of tobacco and vaping products for those born in or after 2009, effectively imposing a lifetime ban on smoking for individuals under the age of 15. As a member of parliament, I was eager to gather opinions from those who will be directly affected by this legislation. So, I turned to a group of young girls from the First Nursling and Rownhams Brownie Pack for their thoughts on the matter.
During my visit, a 10-year-old girl boldly stated, "My granny smokes and she stinks." Another girl chimed in, "I wish my mom wouldn't smoke. She tries to hide it from me, but I can always smell it." And one little girl straightforwardly declared, "It gives you cancer and you die." These were the candid remarks that I had gathered from the Brownie Pack last year. While they may not be the most scientifically assembled focus group, I thought who better to ask about a smoking ban than the very people who will be most impacted by it.
The House of Commons' vote came after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak promised to introduce a free vote on the proposal last October. So, on the same night, I discussed the matter with the Brownies, and it was evident that they had strong opinions about smoking. Along with complaints about the smell, the girls also had nuanced discussions about whether adults should have the right to make their own decisions about consuming harmful substances.
Interestingly, out of the 24 girls in the pack, only one argued for civil liberties and the right to decide for oneself at the age of 18. The rest of the pack was in favor of a staggered ban. They were content with the idea if it meant that future Brownies would not have to endure the smell of cigarettes from their grandparents.
Some of my colleagues in parliament have conducted more in-depth research with local sixth form students. However, it is worth noting that this age group has just made it through the age limit by the skin of their teeth. It is the 15-year-olds of today who will never be old enough to purchase cigarettes, and it will be their peers in the year above who will be buying them cigarettes when they turn 60. Hopefully, this radical action will help put an end to smoking.
The ambition for a smoke-free Britain has been around since 1999 when stop smoking services were introduced in England, and it was further rolled out in 2001. However, the decrease in smoking rates has been slow, and it even stalled during the pandemic. So, perhaps the legislation passed last night is precisely what is needed.
Doctors certainly believe so. In a conversation with two of my colleagues earlier this week, who were determined to vote for the legislation, they acknowledged the concerns surrounding it. Even Sir Chris Whitty, the Chief Medical Advisor to the Government, shares the same opinion. He stated that he has never met a smoker who is glad they took up the habit.
On the other hand, those in favor of free choice believe that the ban should be rejected. However, one could argue that smoking has taken away the choice from those who have become addicted. One of my constituents shared their experience of watching a loved one die from a smoking-related illness and wrote to me saying, "There is nothing like seeing it up close to make you realize how harmful it is." He believes that this bill is one of the best things Rishi has done.
It is interesting to note that those who have written to me opposing the ban happen to be the same individuals who are against vaccinations. As for vaping, I am more conflicted on this issue. On one hand, I am aware of how effective it can be as a tool for smoking cessation. On the other hand, I am concerned about the colorful packaging, sugary flavors, and the negative impact on the environment due to the use of single-use plastic and lithium-ion batteries.
However, there are alternatives available that are more sustainable and just as effective in helping people quit smoking. They may not have the same sleek design as the Elf Bar or be as convenient as a Lost Mary, but they can certainly do the job of getting people off cigarettes. And ultimately, that is what matters.
So, I proudly voted for the ban last night, in line with the vision of those 7-10-year-old girls. A future with lower rates of lung cancer and no unpleasant smells caused by smoking. Do you have a story to share? Please get in touch by emailing me at jess.email. I would also love to hear your thoughts on the matter, so feel free to share them in the comments below.
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