- Johnson criticizes successor’s nicotine sales discontinuation plan
- Sunak aims to create “smoke-free” generation with cigarette age increase
- Proposal faces opposition despite health experts’ approval
The former prime minister criticised the actions of his Conservative successor as leader, stating that the party had lost “dynamism.”
Boris Johnson termed Rishi Sunak’s proposal to discontinue the sale of nicotine products “nuts” about his smoking policy.
At the 2023 Conservative Party conference, the incumbent prime minister unveiled his plan: gradually increase the legal age of purchase for cigarettes in England by one year, culminating in the establishment of a “smoke-free” generation.
However, his Downing Street predecessor and another former leader, Liz Truss, criticised the action.
Although health experts have lauded Mr Sunak’s policy, some have argued that it restricts individual liberties.
Mr Johnson stated on Wednesday evening at a right-wing conference in Canada, “We are generally in favour of freedom, and I believe that this single Anglo-Saxon conception of freedom unites or ought to unite conservatives.”
Furthermore, certain actions currently being undertaken, or purportedly undertaken in the name of conservatism, are completely irrational.
“Make an effort to break”
Emphasising the smoking policy, the former prime minister further stated, “It is beyond my comprehension, as the Quebecards say, when the Winston Churchill party attempts to outlaw cigars; donnez-moi un break.”
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When he was in Downing Street, the former prime minister uttered “donnez-moi un break” in response to France’s displeasure with Australia’s withdrawal from a submarine contract to join the AUKUS (Australia, United Kingdom, and United States) defence accord.
Regarding the French, he stated, “I simply believe it is time for some of our closest allies from around the globe to grasp the situation and grant me a break from this frenzy.”
On 16 April, Mr Sunak’s proposed legislation regarding smoking will be presented to Members of Parliament in the House of Commons. Parliament has not yet approved the bill at this time.
The legislation is anticipated to be enacted, given the Labour Party’s support for the plan; however, Mr Sunak may encounter opposition from his own backbenchers’ right flank.
