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Sunak confirms anti-smoking plan will not become law before election

Sunak confirms anti-smoking plan will not become law before election
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Prime minister Rishi Sunak's plan to ban smoking for younger generations will not become law after he called a snap election leaving no time to push through one of his flagship policies.

"The smoking ban, of course, disappointed not to be able to get that through at the end of the session given the time available," Sunak told reporters on Friday.


Sunak had wanted to bring in some of the world's strictest anti-smoking rules by banning anyone aged 15 and under from ever buying cigarettes, but the bill to make that happen was left off the parliamentary agenda, leading to speculation it would be shelved.

He called an election for July 4 on Wednesday, giving the government just days to complete outstanding legislative business in a so-called "wash-up" period.

In his speech calling for the election, Sunak had boasted that his government had ensured the next generation would be "smoke-free".

But that claim - seen as a key part of his intended legacy - will be undermined without the anti-smoking bill becoming law, even if the next government reintroduces the legislation.

The Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which also proposed tougher restrictions on vape sales, had passed its first parliamentary hurdle in April despite dozens of lawmakers in Sunak's Conservative party voting against it.

Penny Mordaunt, the House of Commons leader, did not list the bill on Thursday in the business scheduled to be debated before parliament shuts down for the election. She said cross-party negotiations were ongoing over the future of bills not included in the schedule.

Whichever party wins the next election the bill could be reintroduced as the opposition Labour Party, which is ahead in opinion polls, said it would push for a ban if forms the next government.

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Phil Whitehead is new Molson Coors EMEA & APAC president

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Phil Whitehead has been appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of the EMEA & APAC division of Molson Coors Beverage Company.

Whitehead has been Managing Director of the company’s Western Europe region for the past eight years and prior to this was European Supply Chain Director. He will continue to lead the Western Europe business until a successor is appointed.

Starting in the UK and Ireland business back in 2006, Whitehead has worked his way up the ranks over his tenure with the international brewer. During his time as Western Europe Managing Director, he has led for the continued growth of powerhouse brands like Carling and Coors, as well as the premiumisation and diversification of the company’s portfolio with world beer brands including Staropramen, Cobra and Madri Excepcional. As the brewer expanded beyond the beer aisle, Whitehead oversaw the acquisition of Aspall Cyder in 2019 and a distribution partnership with Rekorderlig Cider in the UK.

Commenting on his appointment, Molson Coors Global President & Chief Executive Officer Gavin Hattersley said: “Throughout his time with our business, Phil has proven himself to be the kind of smart and strategic business leader who is capable of driving successful results for our business. I am confident Phil will put his strong combination of leadership traits to work to the benefit of our EMEA & APAC business, and all of Molson Coors.”

A former Chair of the British Beer and Pub Association and strong advocate for the beer and hospitality industry in the UK, Whitehead said of his new appointment: “It has been an absolute honour to have led our Western Europe business over the past eight years. I have been incredibly fortunate to have worked with a fantastic local team and alongside great customers and peers as part of our wider brewing industry.

“I look forward to taking this next step with a company I am incredibly proud has been my home over the past 18 years, and continuing to work alongside my EMEA & APAC and global colleagues to drive the successful growth of our business.”