Two thirds (64%) of 2019 Conservative voters support Rishi Sunak’s plan to introduce a phased ban of smoking, ahead of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill second reading debate on Tuesday evening, where a significant number of Conservative MPs are expected to vote against the government.
Former Conservative prime ministers Boris Johnson and Liz Truss have expressed their opposition to Sunak’s plans, despite strong backing among Conservative voters and the wider public (59%). Just one in five (20%) are opposed to the policy.
New research from polling company Savanta for the Telegraph also suggests support for the ban is higher among older adults, with those aged 55+ (66%) being more likely to back the plan than those aged 18-34 (52%) and 35-54 (55%). Even among younger age groups, who will be too old to be impacted, support is more than double the opposition.
Chris Hopkins, Political Research Director at Savanta said, “Sunak’s phased smoking ban may well be one of the most popular and long-lasting of his policies as prime minister. If there is a significant Conservative rebellion, they would be the ones out of step with their voters and the wider public on this, not the prime minister.”
Contrary to popular belief, the British public quite like banning things, in particular if it doesn’t impact them personally. Interestingly, our research suggests younger people are increasingly libertarian in their views, with their support for this plan lowest among all age groups – despite them not being impacted.
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