Liz Truss accuses government of 'finger-wagging, nannying control freakery' ... trends now
Liz Truss today slammed Rishi Sunak for 'limiting freedom' with his plans for a cigarettes ban as MPs gear up for a crunch vote.
During tetchy exchanges in the Commons, the ex-PM swiped that the government was 'infantilising' Brits by taking away their choice.
Stressing that she was not a supporter of smoking, she said she was 'disappointed' that the Tory administration thought the 'state knows best'. Ms Truss said Labour was the right home for 'finger-wagging, nannying control freaks'.
The intervention came as shadow health secretary West Streeting gloated that Ms Truss and her allies were right to brand the proposals 'un-Conservative'.
He said he was 'delighted' to support the measures after they were 'adopted' by Mr Sunak.
Dozens of the PM's own rank and file, and several ministers, are set to oppose the plans to ensure anyone currently aged 15 or younger will never be able to buy a cigarette legally.
However, Mr Sunak has insisted it is right to protect children, while Chief Medical Office Chris Whitty dismissed criticism saying many people cannot give up after becoming addicted.
Although technically MPs will have a free vote on the Tobacco and Vapes Bill this evening, as by convention it is a conscience issue, significant opposition among Conservatives would still be a blow to Mr Sunak's authority.
There has been speculation that 50 Tories could go against the premier's policy, but it is not in danger of being derailed due to Labour backing.
Liz Truss today slammed Rishi Sunak for 'limiting freedom' with his plans for a cigarettes ban as MPs gear up for a crunch vote
Health secretary Victoria Atkins (left) and his shadow Wes Streeting are both supporting the proposals
The legislation will ban tobacco sales to anybody born on or after January 1 2009, meaning no one under the age of 15 in England will be able to legally buy a cigarette (Stock Image)
Rishi Sunak is facing a revolt in his own party against his proposed smoking ban
The legislation would ban tobacco sales to anybody born on or after January 1 2009 - meaning children aged 15 or younger today will never legally be sold a cigarette in England.
It also gives the Government powers to tackle youth vaping, with restrictions on flavours and new rules on packaging and selling vapes.
Health Secretary Victoria Atkins kicked off the debate by insisting that smoking was causing huge suffering.
She told the Commons: 'I totally understand the concerns of fellow Conservatives. We are not in the habit of banning things, we do not like that, and so we will only bring these powers in when we are convinced, following a no doubt robust debate with the intellectual self-confidence that we have to have such debates on this side of the House… we come to the conclusion that there is no liberty in addiction.
'Nicotine robs people of their freedom to choose. The vast
