Rishi Sunak announced his intention to ban the sale of cigarettes to future generations at the Conservative Party conference recently, causing the issue to be debated even by his supporters.
At first, Liz Truss called the PM “hideously illiberal and anti-conservative.” She went on to warn that she would vote against it in the event of a general election.
In addition, it seems rather odd for a Tory leader struggling for control of an increasingly divided party to announce that he plans to make smoking “an offence.”
Perhaps the various factions on the right of the party will be united in their opposition to a smoking ban. It is certainly possible to stage a significant rebellion, even if it is doomed to failure given Labour’s support for the policy.
Notwithstanding, the libertarian argument that adults can decide for themselves how to treat their own bodies is drowned out by public opinion on smoking: parents are unlikely to want their children to associate their lives with smoking.
But Mr Sunak has two reasons for insisting on his plans. The first is that the Prime Minister needs attention-grabbing proposals that voters will vote for and support unconditionally. The second reason is the epitome of humanity: the Prime Minister realises that the end of his political career may come very soon, and therefore needs to create a legacy with which he can leave. Paving the way for a cigarette-free generation is a legacy to be proud of.
This is not the first time Mr Sunak has faced growing rebellion from right-wing members of his party over his inability to fulfil promises, resulting in a questionable impression of his leadership.
