Barrow MP Simon Fell said he was 'very glad' to vote for government plans to prevent those born after 2009 from buying cigarettes.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's proposal made it through the first Commons hurdle - despite a swathe of Conservative MPs objecting to it.

Conservative MPs were given a free vote on the Bill meaning those who voted against the Government's position will not face punishment.

READ MORE: 'Quit smoking' programme free for Barrow residents only

MPs voted 383 to 67, a majority of 316, to give the Tobacco and Vapes Bill a second reading.

The legislation, seen by the Prime Minister as a key part of his long-term legacy, would make it illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone born after January 1 2009 with the aim of creating a "smoke-free" generation.

It does not criminalise current smokers but is aimed at preventing the harms caused by smoking, the leading causes of preventable illness and death in the UK.

Mr Fell said: "I was very glad to vote for the landmark Tobacco and Vapes Bill last night.

"This Bill means that anyone aged 15 or younger today will never smoke in the UK, and introduces new powers to tackle the sharp rise in youth vaping by restricting vape flavours and their packaging.

"It will also introduce on-the-spot fines to retailers who break the rules.

"This is about doing what is right for the country, reducing the huge burden on the NHS that preventable diseases cause, and protecting our children.

"Anyone who can currently buy tobacco will not be prevented from doing so, and I continue to support national, and Furness-based, initiatives to drive those numbers down too."

Last year, Barrow was identified as having twice as many adult smokers compared with South Lakeland.

A four-week trial was launched exclusively for the town in which 50% of participants successfully quit.

Residents accessed Allen Carr’s Easyway (ACE) for free which involves online seminars or videos lasting for 5-6 hours. 

Following its success, residents can still secure free places on the clinically proven intervention at the Allen Carr website.