A controversial bill expected to phase out smoking in Britain moved forward in parliament on Tuesday, as Britain's lower house of commons voted in favor of the controversial measure.

The bill would ban the sale of tobacco products to all those born after January 1, 2009, effectively raising the smoking age by one year after each year until it covers the entire population, writes Tch, KosovaPress broadcasts.

The British parliament launched the debate after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak introduced the bill on Tuesday, despite widespread opposition, including within the ranks of his Conservative party. "This draft law has the possibility of removing tobacco from circulation among young people as early as 2040," the government said when it unveiled its plan, calling the move historic. In the first vote of the bill, 383 MPs voted in favor, 67 voted against. The bill will need to be approved by the House of Lords to become law.