Today, The House of Commons had a debate on the Government's Tobacco and Vape Bill, which seeks to ban the use of tobacco products for people born after 2009.
Andrew had a series of interventions reinforcing some of the core conservative principles which this ban undermines. Andrew later voted no to the ban later that evening.
Some of Andrew's contributions include:
Freedom with responsibility and freedom of choice are surely what the Conservative party should stand for. We can think of all kinds of reasons to ban all kinds of things, but surely the choice of the individual should be paramount. It is not for Government to dictate to individuals.
He (The Rt Hon. Craig Whittaker M.P.) seems to be saying that, however laudable and well intentioned the Bill is, it is impractical and unenforceable because there is insufficient funding for trading standards to make it happen in reality.
I agree wholeheartedly with my hon. Friend (Adam Afriyie M.P.). Surely this should be something that should evolve? As he has highlighted, the statistics show that very few young people now smoke, so we should let things gradually evolve rather than impose them. After the New Zealand example, is it not clear that a ban simply will not work?
Andrew also spoke to GB News on this topic in greater detail, the article in full can be read and the video watched here.
