Charles III gave his first throne speech as king on Tuesday at the opening of the new session of the British Parliament in London. At the ceremony, the 74-year-old monarch read the conservative prime minister’s government program to the assembled members of the upper and lower houses. Rishi Sunak. In it, the government traditionally announces its most important plans for the next year.
The content of the speech was presented to Charles by the government
Britain wants to make future generations “smoke-free” with strict anti-smoking laws. Announced at the traditional opening of Parliament in London King Charles III on Tuesday, on behalf of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, that the government would “introduce legislation to create a smoke-free generation”. The plans aim to ensure that children and young people turning 14 this year will never be able to legally buy cigarettes. Similar rules in New Zealand are a model.
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According to the project, the age limit for purchasing tobacco will increase by one year each year, from the current 18 years. According to government figures, smoking costs the UK around £17 billion (currently €19.62 billion) a year, significantly more than tax revenue from tobacco products of around ten billion. of pounds. The sale of electronic cigarettes should also be restricted.
The announcement was one of several made in the pompous “King’s Speech,” during which Charles read the government’s statement to both houses of Parliament. The monarch has no influence on the content of the speech, which is traditionally presented to him by the government.
At the state opening of Parliament, Charles also announced the Conservative government’s controversial plans to promote new gas and oil fields. The king is known as an environmentalist. Other projects include stricter sentencing requirements for courts, more rights for tenants and the construction of a Holocaust memorial.
It was the first time in more than 70 years that a king had made the government’s declaration – but not the first time that Charles had given the speech. At the previous opening of Parliament he was still heir to the throne and read the government declaration on behalf of his mother Queen Elizabeth II The Queen died on September 8, 2022.