UK Peer Faces Scrutiny Over Family Tie to British American Tobacco Amid Smoking Ban Row

A peer in the House of Lords is attracting controversy after revealing he discussed the proposed generational smoking ban with a relative in a senior position at British American Tobacco BAT. Lord Strathcarron is seeking to amend the government’s tobacco and vapes bill in a move that would abandon the core provision to make the UK only the second country to ban tobacco sales to anyone born after 2008.

Instead of a generational sales ban Strathcarron has called for simply raising the minimum legal age to 21. This move mirrors the position long championed by BAT and would enable millions more people to legally buy tobacco products in the years ahead. A BAT spokesperson stated the company was unaware of any engagement between Strathcarron and BAT employees and declined to confirm the identity of the family member involved.

Tobacco companies are actively fighting the government’s ambitious plan threatening legal action and lobbying sympathetic MPs to dilute the bill. Strathcarron confirmed having spoken with his inlaw about the legislation adding that his contact at BAT considered the bill unnecessary as shifting market forces were already reducing smoking rates. He chose not to declare the conversation citing the distant nature of the familial relationship and questioning whether such discussion constituted lobbying.

Strathcarron admitted that many peers must rely on information from lobbyists or pressure groups due to limited support resources in the House of Lords. Among the groups Strathcarron said he regularly interacts with is Action on World Health co-founded by Nigel Farage and staffed by consultants from the nicotine industry. The group has denied any interaction with Strathcarron regarding the current bill and stated it receives no funding from the vaping or pharmaceutical sectors.

During the bill’s debate Strathcarron did declare a separate interest noting that a minority investor in one of his companies manufactures vapes though he insisted his opposition concerned only cigars and pipes. Defending his stance he characterised cigars as harmless a claim contradicted by extensive medical research indicating similar or greater health risks when compared to cigarettes.

Strathcarron’s critics argue that watering down the generational ban favours the tobacco industry and undermines the government’s public health objectives. The House of Lords code of conduct requires peers to declare any personal or familial interests that might be construed as influencing policymaking. The controversy highlights the continued influence large corporations can wield within the corridors of power and the importance of transparency in legislative processes.