Two local MPs have said they support today’s vote to make it illegal for anyone born since 2009 to ever smoke.

MPs will vote today on Rishi Sunak’s Tobacco and Vapes Bill.

Conservative MPs have been given a free vote on the issue and this afternoon’s Commons debate is being broadcast on Parliament TV.

Andrew Jones, the Conservative MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, told the Stray Ferret he supported the bill. He added:

“Smoking is the leading cause of preventable illness and death in the UK and I want people to live longer, healthier lives rather than dying younger following a period of significant illness.

“Also NHS beds and appointments taken up by people with smoking-related illnesses mean there are fewer beds for people with other issues meaning longer waiting lists for treatment so reducing the number smoking is good for everyone’s health.

“Finally there are an amazing number of days lost in the workplace due to ill health caused by smoking.  Fewer smokers is better for our economy and our productivity.”

The Stray Ferret also asked Julian Smith, the Conservative MP for Skipton and Ripon, and Keir Mather, the Labour MP for Selby and Ainsty, if they would vote in favour of the bill.

A spokesperson for Mr Mather said:

“Owing to an urgent engagement in the constituency, Keir will be paired for today’s vote so will be shown as an abstention.

“However, he has asked me to let you that he supports the legislation in principle because it will be a positive step for public health which the Labour Party has supported for some time now.”

Mr Smith said:

“I support the policy and will be voting for it.”

Former Prime Minister Liz Truss told the Commons the idea that the government “protect adults from themselves is hugely problematic”. She added:

“If people want to vote for finger-wagging, nannying control freaks, there are plenty of them to choose from on the benches opposite.”

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Harrogate has the highest number of smokers in North Yorkshire, according to government figures.

Vaping company Vape Club analysed Public Health England data which revealed that 14.4% of adults living in the Harrogate district are smokers, above other districts in the county and the national figure of 13.9%.

One tobacconist in Harrogate told the Stray Ferret a trend towards different kinds of smoking could be behind the statistics – along with the coronavirus crisis.

James Barber has a shop on Cold Bath Road and told the Stray Ferret that his sales have doubled since lockdown. He said this is because smokers have not been able to travel abroad where they would usually buy cheaper cigarettes or rolling tobacco.

Mr Barber moved the shop to Harrogate from Otley last year and said there is a “phenomenal trade” in the town for expensive cigars.

He has also seen a rise in young men in their 20s who are becoming bored with vaping, and instead have moved on to smoking tobacco pipes. He said the pipe has been “reinvented” from the days of it being an old man’s pastime.

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The government introduced the indoor smoking ban in 2007, plain packaging for cigarettes in 2017, banned menthol cigarettes this year and has an ambition for the UK to be “smoke free” by 2030.

According to Public Health England, smoking is the leading cause of preventable illness and premature death in England, with about half of all lifelong smokers dying prematurely, losing on average around 10 years of life. In 2016 alone, there were around 78,000 deaths attributable to smoking, representing 16% of all deaths across the UK.

A spokesman for North Yorkshire County Council’s Living Well SmokeFree service said:

“When you quit smoking, it reduces your risk of illness, disability or death caused by cancer, heart or lung disease. It will protect the health of the people around you by reducing their exposure to secondhand smoke. It will also save you money – the average smoker saves £150 a month when they quit.”

But Mr Barber said some people in Harrogate are still smoking “because they don’t like being told what to do by the government”.

He added:

“I would never say smoking is good for you and I wouldn’t like my children to start smoking, so I can fully understand the government wanting everyone to stop smoking.

“But I don’t know where they will get the money to pay for tax. Smokers pay billions into the kitty. It’s gone a little bit over the top. We know it’s no good for us but it’s down to personal choice, at the end of the day.”