THE director for public health in Cumbria has called for parliamentary time to be made 'as soon as possible' for the government's anti smoking plans. 

The prime minister announced plans to restrict the availability of vapes for children and create the first 'smoke-free' generation by making sure children turning 14 this year or younger can never buy cigarettes. 

If passed by parliament, the plans would raise the age of sale by one year each year for this generation - born on or after January 1, 2009 - to prevent them and future generations from ever taking up smoking.

This will not criminalise smoking nor will it mean anyone who can buy cigarettes now will be prevented from doing so in the future. 

However, the matter has yet to officially come before parliament.

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On his official X, formerly known as Twitter, account, Colin Cox said: "This has the potential to be the most significant public health legislation for nearly 20 years, and has huge support across the country.

"We need to make parliamentary time available for it as soon as possible." 

The bill also has the support of the Conservative MP for Penrith and the Border, Neil Hudson and Labour has said it would back the bill.