Up to 100 Tory MPs could rebel against smoking ban law next week after intervention by 'rock star' Boris Johnson against 'nuts' legislation in new blow to Rishi Sunak's authority
U to 100 Tory backbenchers could rebel against plans for a rolling ban on smoking next week after ex-PM Boris Johnson branded the legislation 'nuts'.
MPs will get a free vote on the policy of increasing the minimum age for buying tobacco every year in an effort to phase out smoking, which formed a major part of Rishi Sunak's speech to the Conservative Party Conference last year.
It comes after Mr Johnson attacked the flagship policy of his successor-but-one as he questioned 'some of the things that we are doing... in the name of conservatism'.
Mr Johnson wondered why 'the party of Winston Churchill wants to ban cigars' in an appearance at a Canadian conference.
Ally James Duddridge told the i newspaper: 'Boris is still a thought leader and rock star to association members who would have him back in a flash. His populism and ability to position himself as one of the people, and build electoral coalitions, means when he speaks, MPs listen.'
The law, which returns to the Commons on Tuesday, is still likely to pass with support from opposition parties, but a sizeable rebellion would further undermine Mr Sunak's position ahead of a general election later this year.
![](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/04/12/09/83546143-13300519-image-a-58_1712911550067.jpg)
MPs will get a free vote on the policy of increasing the minimum age for buying tobacco every year in an effort to phase out smoking, which formed a major part of Rishi Sunak's speech to the Conservative Party Conference last year.
![Mr Johnson wondered why 'the party of Winston Churchill wants to ban cigars' in an appearance at a Canadian conference.](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/04/12/09/83545359-13300519-image-a-49_1712910725233.jpg)
Mr Johnson wondered why 'the party of Winston Churchill wants to ban cigars' in an appearance at a Canadian conference.
Mr Sunak has proposed preventing anyone who is turning 15 this year, or younger, from ever being able to legally buy tobacco products.
His plans are expected to be the subject of a free vote when MPs debate the legislation in the House of Commons for the first time next week.
The law is backed by a high proportion of the population, with a recent poll showing that almost three-quarters of Tory voters (71 per cent) support it.
But the PM is facing a backlash from the libertarian wing of his party, including from his predecessor Liz Truss.
She has branded Mr Sunak's bid to effectively ban young people from smoking as 'profoundly unconservative'.
Mr Johnson on Wednesday evening joined the Tory anger at Mr Sunak's proposals as he criticised policies that were being carried out 'in the name of conservatism'.
'We are, on the whole, in favour of freedom and it is that single Anglo-Saxon idea of freedom that I think unites conservatives, or should unite conservatives,' he said.
'And when I look at some of the things that we are doing now, or that are being done in the name of conservatism, I think they are absolutely nuts.'
Mr Johnson added: 'When the party of Winston Churchill wants to ban cigars, donnez-moi un break as they say in Quebec, it's just mad.'
Although Mr Sunak is facing a Tory rebellion against his smoking ban, he is set to win the support of Labour MPs and so his plans are unlikely to be derailed.
A similar law had been due to come into effect in New Zealand in July, but was repealed by the country's new coalition government in February.