onto it in a moment some of the stories_ onto it in a moment some of the stories the — onto it in a moment some of the stories the tobacco industry have put out _ stories the tobacco industry have put out about the myths of the impact — put out about the myths of the impact of — put out about the myths of the impact of introducing age restrictions in cigarettes, which i think— restrictions in cigarettes, which i think witi— restrictions in cigarettes, which i think will be interesting evidence to those — think will be interesting evidence to those who are concerned. i will -ive to those who are concerned. i will give way — to those who are concerned. i will give way to — to those who are concerned. i will give way to the honourable gentleman and then— give way to the honourable gentleman and then make some progress. andi and then make some progress. and i commend the _ and then make some progress. and i commend the minister _ and then make some progress. if i commend the minister and the government for bringing this forward and i supported, because i believe it is right. i have been contacted by debating groups i met last week, and they sent me a small comment. i want to ask the minister of quick question, moving forward with the consistency. they referred to the impact of the assessment reports, which says it fails to consider detrimental effects for users and

smokers looking to switch. they've asked for... we need comments to be constructive. they refer to a distributor scheme in the bill. the industry have developed a framework which is designed to once and for all deal effectively with the issue of underage sales, situation which could potentially only get worse. would it be her intention to do that, develop a vape distribution scheme? i’m that, develop a vape distribution scheme? �* . ., . ~ scheme? i'm gratefulto him, i thank him for his support. _ scheme? i'm gratefulto him, i thank him for his support. we _ scheme? i'm gratefulto him, i thank him for his support. we understand l him for his support. we understand the lobbying that has gone on by the vapihg _ the lobbying that has gone on by the vapihg and _ the lobbying that has gone on by the vaping and tobacco industry. we know the vaping _ vaping and tobacco industry. we know the vaping industry has process as one of— the vaping industry has process as one of their— the vaping industry has process as one of their lines. i'm afraid the truth _ one of their lines. i'm afraid the truth is — one of their lines. i'm afraid the truth is when you look at the current— truth is when you look at the current market are vapes, when you

io current market are vapes, when you go into— current market are vapes, when you go into a _ current market are vapes, when you go into a newsagents and uc the vape products— go into a newsagents and uc the vape products on— go into a newsagents and uc the vape products on sale next to the tail, often _ products on sale next to the tail, often next — products on sale next to the tail, often next to the sweets where children — often next to the sweets where children will be attracted to that part of— children will be attracted to that part of the shop if my experience is anything _ part of the shop if my experience is anything to— part of the shop if my experience is anything to go by, and they market it in cynical— anything to go by, and they market it in cynical ways. we are saying it is already— it in cynical ways. we are saying it is already unlawful to sell vapes to under— is already unlawful to sell vapes to under 18_ is already unlawful to sell vapes to under 18 rolled but we want the powers — under 18 rolled but we want the powers in— under 18 rolled but we want the powers in this legislation to consult _ powers in this legislation to consult on flavours, design and so on, consult on flavours, design and so on. to— consult on flavours, design and so on, to ensure vapes are being sold as they— on, to ensure vapes are being sold as they intended to help adult smokers — as they intended to help adult smokers to quit, because no child should _ smokers to quit, because no child should ever— smokers to quit, because no child should ever vape. i do want to go on to the _ should ever vape. i do want to go on to the age _ should ever vape. i do want to go on to the age of— should ever vape. i do want to go on to the age of cell and then i will -ive to the age of cell and then i will give way — to the age of cell and then i will give way. the point my right honourable friend raised about the a-e honourable friend raised about the age of— honourable friend raised about the age of sait— honourable friend raised about the age of sail and the black market, the tobacco industry claims that

there _ the tobacco industry claims that there witi— the tobacco industry claims that there will be unintended consequences raising the age of sait~ _ consequences raising the age of sait~ they— consequences raising the age of sail. they assert the black market will boom — sail. they assert the black market will boom. before the smoking age was increased from 16 to 18, they sang _ was increased from 16 to 18, they sang from — was increased from 16 to 18, they sang from the same hymn sheet. but the facts. _ sang from the same hymn sheet. but the facts, i'm afraid, showed otherwise. the number of illicit cigarettes consumed fell by 25%, and the smoking rates for 16 and 17—year—olds dropped by almost one third~ _ 17—year—olds dropped by almost one third. indeed, consumption of illegal— third. indeed, consumption of illegal tobacco has plummeted from 17 bitiion— illegal tobacco has plummeted from 17 billion cigarettes into thousand and 2001, — 17 billion cigarettes into thousand and 2001, two 3 billion cigarettes in 2022, — and 2001, two 3 billion cigarettes in 2022, 2023, despite the fervour controts _ in 2022, 2023, despite the fervour controls this house has placed in the meantime. our modeland controls this house has placed in the meantime. our model and suggest the meantime. our model and suggest the measures in this bill will reduce — the measures in this bill will reduce smoking rates between 14 to 30—year—olds in england too close to

zero as— 30—year—olds in england too close to zero as soon— 30—year—olds in england too close to zero as soon as 2040. i hope there will be _ zero as soon as 2040. i hope there will be many— zero as soon as 2040. i hope there will be many in us who will still be here in— will be many in us who will still be here in 2040, this is our opportunity to play that part in history — opportunity to play that part in history. thanks to constructive engagement from colleagues across the devolved edible illustrations, these _ the devolved edible illustrations, these measures will apply not just in england, but across our entire united _ in england, but across our entire united kingdom, saving lives and building _ united kingdom, saving lives and building a — united kingdom, saving lives and building a better and brighter future — building a better and brighter future. having listened carefully to colleagues, we are making sure local authorities— colleagues, we are making sure local authorities will be able to keep every— authorities will be able to keep every penny of the fixed penalties they bring in to reinvest in rigorous _ they bring in to reinvest in rigorous enforcement. in other words, _ rigorous enforcement. in other words. we _ rigorous enforcement. in other words, we are looking at notjust national— words, we are looking at notjust national enforcement, but helping our very. — national enforcement, but helping our very, very important and valuable _ our very, very important and valuable local trading enforcement officers _ valuable local trading enforcement officers to keep the proceeds from those _ officers to keep the proceeds from those fixed penalties they hand out. i will those fixed penalties they hand out. iwitt give _ those fixed penalties they hand out.

i will give way to the honourable tady~ _ i will give way to the honourable lad . , , i will give way to the honourable lad. , , . , , lady. does she agree this bill will not largely _ lady. does she agree this bill will not largely affect _ lady. does she agree this bill will not largely affect people - lady. does she agree this bill will not largely affect people in - lady. does she agree this bill will not largely affect people in this l not largely affect people in this house, but affects younger people? therefore it is incredibly important to listen to the voices of young people. i wrote to every secondary school in my constituency to ask young people their views. the majority of the young people in chelmsford when asked for their views said they would support the measures in the bill. it is not unanimous, but we work by majority, and given this affects them and not me, i will be respecting their views when i boats today. mar; me, i will be respecting their views when i boats today.— me, i will be respecting their views when i boats today. may i thank her, and et when i boats today. may i thank her, and yet again — when i boats today. may i thank her, and yet again she — when i boats today. may i thank her, and yet again she reminds _ when i boats today. may i thank her, and yet again she reminds is - when i boats today. may i thank her, and yet again she reminds is what i when i boats today. may i thank her, and yet again she reminds is what a l and yet again she reminds is what a wittiams _ and yet again she reminds is what a williams mp she is —— when i voter. one of— williams mp she is —— when i voter. one of the — williams mp she is —— when i voter. one of the questions i pose of our nhs and _ one of the questions i pose of our nhs and the future i want to build,

to make _ nhs and the future i want to build, to make it— nhs and the future i want to build, to make it faster, simpler and fairer— to make it faster, simpler and fairer is— to make it faster, simpler and fairer is the voice of younger people — fairer is the voice of younger people because whether they are in work, _ people because whether they are in work, paying their taxes, they are paying _ work, paying their taxes, they are paying for— work, paying their taxes, they are paying for our nhs and they will be the users _ paying for our nhs and they will be the users of it in the future. part of my— the users of it in the future. part of my rote — the users of it in the future. part of my role as health secretary is to ensure _ of my role as health secretary is to ensure it _ of my role as health secretary is to ensure it is — of my role as health secretary is to ensure it is in a sustainable funding— ensure it is in a sustainable funding model that we are doing everything we can to increase productivity, but also to move the demand _ productivity, but also to move the demand curve so it celebrates its next _ demand curve so it celebrates its next 75 _ demand curve so it celebrates its next 75 years. i will give way. you are listening _ next 75 years. i will give way. you are listening to _ next 75 years. i will give way. you are listening to mps _ next 75 years. i will give way. gm. are listening to mps debating plans are listening to mp5 debating plans to stop young people born since 2009 from ever smoking again. let's speak to our deputy political correspondent, ben wright, to look at it closely. thank you forjoining us. we've been listening into the house of commons. conservative mps are free to vote the way they like, but can you tell us more about what

we are hearing in terms of support and opposition from them a question this debate hasjust and opposition from them a question this debate has just started, we are listening to the health secretary explained why the government feels it is now necessary to introduce a new rolling age of consent when it comes to buying tobacco products in the uk. fir. comes to buying tobacco products in the uk. �* ., comes to buying tobacco products in theuk. ~ _ . ., comes to buying tobacco products in theuk. _ . ., ., the uk. a policy which would mean an bod the uk. a policy which would mean anybody currently _ the uk. a policy which would mean anybody currently 15 _ the uk. a policy which would mean anybody currently 15 years - the uk. a policy which would mean anybody currently 15 years of - the uk. a policy which would mean anybody currently 15 years of age i the uk. a policy which would mean | anybody currently 15 years of age or younger will never legally be able to buy cigarettes in the uk. she has told the house of commons this is all about giving the next generation the freedom to live longer and healthier lives. freedom, of course, is a word cherished by many on the rights in particular, and it is the case conservative's are divided on this policy. there are those like victoria arkin into field smoking is just so bad. it is bad for your health, and it is imperative they take this step to get rid of it, but

there are others in the party who are very uncomfortable about what they see as an excessive intrusion on people's freedom to smoke if they choose to, and we'll get a sense of the argument as the afternoon goes on. it's a free vote, a vote of conscience, so rishi sunak is not telling his mps they have two votes, but it will be interesting to see how many conservative mps decide to vote against it or abstain. irate how many conservative mps decide to vote against it or abstain.— vote against it or abstain. we have heard from — vote against it or abstain. we have heard from some _ vote against it or abstain. we have heard from some former— vote against it or abstain. we have i heard from some former conservative prime minister is. can you tell us about them?— prime minister is. can you tell us about them? ., ., about them? boris johnson, now no loner an about them? boris johnson, now no longer an mp. _ about them? boris johnson, now no longer an mp, was _ about them? boris johnson, now no longer an mp, was speaking - about them? boris johnson, now no longer an mp, was speaking in - about them? boris johnson, now no | longer an mp, was speaking in north america last week and said this proposed phasing out of smoking was nuts. liz truss, in office for six weeks, described this recently as an conservative. there is a view on the libertarian wing of the party it isn't something a conservative

government should be doing. there are concerns within the tory party of the work ability orbit. one mp, john hayes, said a few minutes this idea of a rolling age of consent was at best a curiosity, at worst a absurdity. on ideological grounds you will hear voices of dissent on the tory benches. step back and there is broad cross—party agreement it is the right thing. the labour opposition supported and suggested it before rishi sunak did last october. there are the numbers to get it through parliament. there is a question overtime before the next general election to get it onto the statute book, but i think it will be there. the overwhelming view of the house of commons is it is the right thing to do and it will become law. once it is, i think it is unlikely a

future government would overturn it. interesting. victoria atkins talked about saving lives and creating brighter futures. about saving lives and creating brighterfutures. how big a problem is it that the uk when it comes to because of death? it is is it that the uk when it comes to because of death?— is it that the uk when it comes to because of death? it is huge, and victoria atkins _ because of death? it is huge, and victoria atkins has _ because of death? it is huge, and victoria atkins has been - because of death? it is huge, and victoria atkins has been talking . victoria atkins has been talking about the statistics of the people who are likely to die if they smoke long—term. she said it was two thirds of long—term smokers were at high risk of dying from their addiction. that is why they feel this intervention now is needed. this is the single biggest cause of preventable death, and it would save the government billions of pounds long—term that the nhs could be using for other things. for the public finances, public health, they feel there is simply a compelling argument it is the next step to take. it's part of a journey, it was 20 years ago uk ban smoking in

public places. you can't smoke in pubs, restaurants, trains, which was seen as controversial at the time but became law. no one revisited it. this is the next step.— this is the next step. thank you for that context- _ this is the next step. thank you for that context. that _ this is the next step. thank you for that context. that debate - this is the next step. thank you for that context. that debate is - this is the next step. thank you for that context. that debate is still i that context. that debate is still going on, and there will be a vote later today. we will bring you coverage on bbc news. now it is time for a look at the weather. hello there. it's not been as windy today. there's still a number of showers around. mind you, if we look out in the atlantic, this is where we've got high pressure at the moment. and around that, there is some cloud coming in. we'll get some of that later tonight and into tomorrow. but ahead of that, we've still got these north to north westerly winds. they are feeding in this colder air and a mixture of sunshine and showers, some of which could be heavy, had some threatening clouds already. and we're going to find some heavier showers pushing into the south east of england later on in the day. these are the temperatures.

so we're still below average. could make double figures, though, across the central belt and 14 perhaps in south wales. but there will be some heavier showers as we head towards the end of the afternoon. those in the south east will move away. we'll see another band of showers pushing across northern england and wales and some further wintry showers overnight in northern scotland. but there will be some clearer skies around it as well and the winds will continue to ease down a bit, too. so it is going to be quite chilly out there with a frost more likely across the northern half of the uk heading into tomorrow. and this is the cloud that's coming in from the atlantic that's going to bring a little rain to northern ireland and eventually into wales. but elsewhere, after a fairly bright and sunny start, we'll see the cloud building up. we'll see more showers breaking out, not quite as heavy, not quite as widespread as we've seen over the past couple of days. but if anything, after that coldest start, temperatures could be a bit lower in the afternoon, typically only ten degrees on wednesday afternoon. now that cloud comes on that weather front there, which sinks its way southwards around the high pressure. another weather front arrives overnight into thursday morning for northern parts of the uk.

but with clearer skies and light winds across england and wales, there is actually a risk of a touch of frost here. sunny start maybe, but we've got more cloud for scotland and northern ireland. some outbreaks of rain, the heavier rain over the hills of western scotland. some of that rain pushes southwards into northern england with the sunshine hanging on towards the south west with cloud elsewhere and temperatures typically around 12 degrees. now the weather system bringing that rain is going to move very quickly southwards overnight and during friday. and then following on from that, we get the high pressure that's in the atlantic, finally building back towards the uk and that will bring us some much needed drier weather in time for the weekend. it could, though, bring a fair bit of cloud and it's certainly not going to be as warm as it was last weekend.

live from london. this is bbc news. israel launches a diplomatic offensive, calling for mass sanctions on iran after its unprecedented drone and missile attack. fire engulfs the old stock exchange in the centre of copenhagen — one of denmark's most historic landmarks.

donald trump returns to court in new york — as jury selection for his hush money trial continues. a muslim student loses a high court challenge against a ban on prayer rituals at a school in london. a potential world—first smoking ban for future generations will be debated by mps in the uk. hello, i'm sarah campbell. welcome to bbc news now, three hours of fast—moving news, interviews and reaction. we begin with events in the middle east, where israel appears to be trying to gather international support following the iranian air strikes, but has not — so far, at least — carried out any direct military action in response. instead, israel is calling for more sanctions on iran, which itself has warned israel

against attempting any retaliation following those drone and missile attacks,