As the Government inches nearer to effectively banning smoking for an entire generation, Oldham residents have had their say on the plans.

The Prime Minister's proposal to ban young people from ever being able to legally smoke cleared its first Commons hurdle earlier this week.

The historic Tobacco and Vaping Bill would see restrictions placed on the sale of cigarettes in the country.

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The proposal would see today's 15-year-olds, those born in or after January 1 2009, never be able to buy tobacco products, resulting in an effective ban and the 'phasing out' of smoking for an entire generation. 

The Bill passed its second reading by 383 votes to 67, with a majority of 316 on Tuesday this week. 

Labour MPs, including Oldham's Jim McMahon, Debbie Abrahams and Angela Rayner, also backed the controversial plans though some Tory MPs objected, including former prime ministers Liz Truss and Boris Johnson, because of its impact on people’s freedoms.

Now, readers of The Oldham Times have had their say on the plans with many dubbing the bill as a restriction on free will and the start of a "controlling nanny state".

Paul Davies said: "What happened to my body, my choice?"

Kevin Wills added: "Welcome to big brother."

Others pointed out the legislation would lead to people over the age of 18 being turned away from shops and possibly into the arms of the 'black market'.

Daniel Paul, a hairdresser from Shaw, said: "Imagine being 85 and being refused cigs."

Dan Paterson similarly said: "Who’s going to police this? Asking a 35-year-old in 20 years for ID."

Some residents feared the proposal could lead to other health-related bans further down the line - a suggestion Former Conservative Party chairman Brendan Clarke-Smith also implied in the commons earlier this week.

The MP said: “What next? A ban on alcohol? A ban on takeaways? I would declare an interest in both of those. Both of these are bad for us when they are not done responsibly.

"But we are adults, these are our choices, these are not the state’s choice.”

Another reader, Allen Buckley, said he feared the ban would only make it "easier" for criminals to "ply their trade".

He added: "So they say it's a burden on the NHS. I think the biggest burden on the NHS is illegal immigration and people who have never paid into the system.

"What will they ban next you may ask.

"What happens when the House of Lords overturns this ban?

"Are we becoming a country where individuals have no choice unless permitted by government?

"Alcohol ban will be next. Followed by freedom of speech."

Meanwhile, Phil Starr said he remembers "the same fuss when smoking in restaurants was banned", adding: "The law won’t last unchanged. There won’t be newsagents saying 'you don’t look 38 years old' when today's kids reach 37, plus it won’t be compatible with human rights at that stage."

The loss of tax revenue from the sale of cigarettes is also another concern for Pauline Harrison who said: "Have they figured out where the loss of tax revenue is going to come from? God help our kids and their kids."

Wayne Robinson agreed, writing: "A barking waste of time.

"I am anti-smoking, but making it illegal never stopped the kids I was at school with buying cigs or booze from certain shops.

"If you want to ban smoking you make selling it to everyone illegal and don’t have it sold.

"This will lose a large revenue stream and encourage illegal products which we currently don’t have any control of."

Stephen Mellor said UK citizens might have to pay "much higher taxes to compensate" for the loss in revenue.

Readers also said there's "always a way" for people to get their hands on tobacco or other substances, as Michelle Heyes said: "If people want to smoke whatever leaf, they will whether it's illegal or not."

However, others supported the plans, including Paul Lord and Mick Marshall who wrote: "They're being phased out - it's progress."

Jim Weems also said the move would alleviate the future cost burden on the NHS, resulting in people living longer, healthier lives which "will increase the tax recepts for central government".

He added: "It really is very much looking out for all of us as a nation."

Got a story? Email me Olivia.bridge@newsquest.co.uk