Fury as ex Chancellor George Osborne says Brits should be BANNED from smoking

GEORGE Osborne has been told to butt out after calling for smoking to be banned in Britain.

The former Tory Chancellor also demanded orange juice and cake be taxed more to curb obesity.

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Smoking should be banned in Britain, George Osborne has said[/caption]

Rex Features

Former Chancellor George Osborne sparked anger with his remarks[/caption]

In controversial remarks he said governments have been too afraid of intervening over fears of “nanny statism”.

Advocating a cigarette prohibition, he told the Times: “You basically phase it out. Of course you’re going to have lots of problems with illegal smoking, but you have lots of problems with other illegal activities.

“It doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try and ban them and police them and make it less readily available. I thought that was a compelling public health intervention.”

Mr Osborne – now chair of the British Museum – said the sugar tax he introduced in 2016 should be broadened to cover fruit juice, milkshakes, biscuits and cakes.

As Chancellor he put a levy on soft drinks along with an ill-fated tax on hot pasties in his notorious “omnishambles” Budget.

Downing Street said there were no plans to implement either of his proposals and that Rishi Sunak ws committed to “personal responsibility”.

A Tory MP added: “And we wonder why we didn’t win in Red Wall seats when he was Chancellor.”

Simon Clark, director of the smokers’ lobby group Forest, piled in: “Like many politicians, past and present, George Osborne wants to control how millions of people live their lives.

“Osborne’s comments are a classic example of ‘Do as I say, not as I do’.
“Fortunately he’s no longer in government, or politics, so his views should be treated with the contempt they deserve.”

The IEA’s Christopher Snowdon added: “Prohibition would lead to a crime wave and deprive the government of £12 billion of revenue. Britain has a big enough problem with black market tobacco without the government introducing a total ban on cigarettes. 

“This is crazy talk from George Osborne. Perhaps it’s time for him to head off into the sunset, smoke his fags and count his money.” 

The Government is committed to making Britain “smoke free” – fewer than 5 per cent of adults – by 2030.