All 1 Debates between Lord Bethell and Viscount Simon

Mon 20th Jul 2020

Smoking

Debate between Lord Bethell and Viscount Simon
Monday 20th July 2020

(3 years, 8 months ago)

Lords Chamber
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Lord Bethell Portrait Lord Bethell [V]
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It is not my role to comment on the drafting of legislation in the manner that my noble friend describes. However, I resolutely repeat the Government’s commitment to a smoke-free 2030 and the tobacco control plan, both of which are absolutely essential to our tobacco policies.

Viscount Simon Portrait Viscount Simon (Lab)
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My Lords, no licences are required to sell deadly tobacco products and, while retailers can be prosecuted for underage sales or selling illicit tobacco, penalties are low. Over 70% of small tobacco retailers strongly support introducing a licence that could be removed if retailers break the law. Will the Government commit to consulting on the introduction of such a licence to help progress towards a smoke-free 2030?

Lord Bethell Portrait Lord Bethell [V]
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My Lords, I completely hear the views of retailers. No one wants to put a retailer in an awkward position and I completely understand why they would support the introduction of licensing. However, that is not currently our plan and we believe that we can get to a smoke-free 2030 without introducing onerous and expensive new regulations of the kind that the noble Viscount describes.