Health minister Baroness Merron told the Lords on Monday: “This afternoon marks the end of this Bill’s journey throughout Parliament.
“It is a landmark Bill, it will create a smoke-free generation.
“It is, in fact, the biggest public health intervention in a generation and I can assure all noble Lords it will save lives.”
Lord Naseby, a Conservative former MP, said the Tobacco and Vapes Bill “does upset a great many people in that industry”, including retailers.
He added: “What we really need is a proper understanding of how we educate people not to take up smoking.”
Responding to Lord Naseby, Lady Merron said: “I can overall assure Lord Naseby, as I’ve done on a number of occasions, about how closely we have worked with retailers, and we will continue to do so.”
