'You should be able to do what you want': Gen Z demand the right to smoke ... trends now
Gen Z have demanded the right to be able to smoke after Rishi Sunak's plan to ban smoking for anyone born after 2009 passed a crucial House of Commons vote.
Rishi Sunak's Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which would make it illegal for anyone born after January 1 2009 to ever buy cigarettes, passed overwhelmingly in the commons last night as MPs voted by 383 to 67 to back the plans.
MailOnline hit the streets of London, Newcastle and Manchester to find out what smokers, non-smokers and vapers thought of the plan.
And many Gen Zers we spoke to - that's people born from the mid-to-late 1990s to the 2010s - were against the ban as an assault on personal freedoms.
And many highlighted a new health issue that the ban will not affect - the rise on vaping among the young.
23-year-old Calum from London (left) said: 'Once they get to the age of 18 they should have their own free will to do what they want'
Ella, 22, (right) also agreed that 'once you get to the age of 18 you should be able to make your own decisions'
Rishi Sunak 's Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which would make it illegal for anyone born after January 1 2009 to ever buy cigarettes, passed overwhelmingly in the commons last night as MPs voted by 383 to 67 to back the plans
Despite government alleging that the bill could save half a million premature deaths in the UK, the next generation are wary thinking that autonomy over their own health is more important
Calum, 23, from London told us: 'Once they get to the age of 18 they should have their own free will to do what they want.'
He added: 'The government should take that initiative, they should do all they can to stop people from smoking because of what it can cause. But as I said its free will, just like with drinking at 18 you should be able to do what you want.'
But he was concerned about the vaping threat.
'Definitely [they need to do more to stop kids from vaping]. The bright colours are very attractive to kids, I know a lot of young kids who are vaping at a young age.
'I don't know how they are getting vapes but they obviously are able to acquire them. There should be [things] in place to stop them.'
His friend Ella, 22,
