The Secretary of State for Scotland has said UK Government proposals to gradually increase the age at which people can buy tobacco “will save lives” in Scotland. 

Speaking ahead of the Tobacco and Vapes bill being debated at Westminster tomorrow, Ian Murray said the plans offer a chance to show how a “reset in relationships” between the UK and Scottish Governments can make a difference to peoples lives in Scotland. 

The Tobacco and Vapes Bill sets out to progressively increase the age at which people can buy tobacco so that future generations will never legally be able to do so.

The legislation will therefore prevent anyone born after January 1 2009 from legally smoking by gradually raising the age at which tobacco can be bought.

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After the UK Conservatives initially proposed the idea, Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour Government confirmed it will push ahead with the plans which have the backing of health campaigners and charities. 

Secretary of State for Scotland Ian Murray said: “This Bill is one of the UK's biggest ever public health interventions. It will create the first ever smoke-free generation and protect children from the harms of vapes - right across the UK. This will save lives, cut pressure on our NHS and save tax-payers billions of pounds.

"With the agreement of the devolved administrations, our legislation will cover the whole of the United Kingdom. This really important intervention in the health of our nation is a great example of how the reset in the relationship between the UK and Scottish governments can make a real difference to the lives of people in Scotland. 

"By prioritising co-operation over conflict, we can work constructively with the Scottish Government and other partners to deliver the change that Scotland needs."

The Bill was introduced to the UK parliament on November 5 and will receive its Second Reading tomorrow. 

For it to become law in Scotland, the legislation must be voted through at Westminster and then MSPs will also need to back the bill with a vote in the Scottish Parliament at Holyrood.

The Scottish Liberal Democrats, however, have voiced disagreement with the plans. Their leader recently said the rolling age ban is "crackers" in an interview with The Herald at their party conference.  

Mr Cole-Hamilton said: “You could end up in a few decades time with a 75 year-old and 74 year-old couple, the wife’s allowed to go and buy fags but the husband isn’t. You shouldn’t have two tiers of rights.”

“I believe in bodily autonomy. If you want to harm your body that’s on you.”

The Scottish Government brought forward a Legislative Consent Memorandum on 21 November for consideration by the Scottish Parliament and has voiced support for the plans. 

Public Health Minister Jenni Minto said: “We welcome the re-introduction of the UK-wide Tobacco and Vapes Bill to UK Parliament which, once passed, will help us to achieve our ambitious target of a tobacco-free Scotland by 2034. 

“Smoking causes huge harms to individuals, their families and loved ones and has wider impacts on the NHS and society. It is a major contributor to health inequalities - which is why our shared goal is to eradicate tobacco use.”