Bolton West MP Chris Green votes against 'smoking ban'

Chris Green, MP for Bolton West, was one of dozens of Conservative Members of Parliament to vote against Rishi Sunak’s proposal last night, Tuesday.

The Prime Minister had hoped to create a “smoke free generation”, meaning that even after people born in 2009 reach adulthood, they would still be banned from buying cigarettes, vapes or other tobacco products.

Mr Green said: “In a healthy society adults have to be able to make their own decision about their own health and about their own risk.

“Our society is very well informed about the risks of and people can make an informed decision about whether they should smoke or not.

The Bill aims to ban anyone born after 2009 from buying tobacco products (Image: PA)

“But a ban like this will not stop people from smoking and instead will only add to a black market that already exists and which carries much greater health risks.”

Mr Sunak gave his MPs a free vote on the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, meaning the those like Mr Green who voted against the government will not be punished.

The Bolton West MP was one of 57 of his colleagues to vote against the Bill, while 178 voted for it.

Along with fuelling the black market, Mr Green also cited concerns around the safety of shop workers for rejecting the government’s position.

He said: “One of the greatest causes of conflict in shops is when people get into arguments when they are asked to show ID, this can lead to trigger points for violence against shopkeepers.”

The Bill ultimately passed its second reading with the support of Labour, the Liberal Democrats and the Scottish National Party.

Bolton South East MP Yasmin Qureshi voted for the Bill (Image: Office of Yasmin Qureshi MP)

Labour’s Yasmin Qureshi, MP for Bolton South East, said: “I voted to make smoking history last night.

“Smoking is a damaging and addictive habit, creating a society where future generations do not pick up the habit is a very positive step and Labour unanimously backed it.

“It is a shame that so many Tories tried to vote it down, including six cabinet minister.”

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Bolton North East Conservative MP Mark Logan did not record a vote on the reading.

In response to opposition from colleagues, health secretary Victoria Atkins said her government was “not in the habit of banning things”, but warned there was “no liberty in addiction".

She said: “Nicotine robs people of their freedom to choose.

“The vast majority of smokers start when they are young, and three-quarters say that if they could turn back the clock they would not have started.”

The Bill is set to return for its next reading at a later date.