Ann Widdecombe has branded the government’s plan to make it illegal for anyone born after 1 January 2009 to buy tobacco as “lunacy”.

Speaking on GB News, Ann Widdecombe said: “It’s absolutely lunacy and I can’t believe that [Sunak’s] giving any time to this at all.

“Under these proposals, there will come a time when a 44-year-old commits an offence if he buys a cigarette for a 43 year old.

“That is the extent of the lunacy.

“Now, I can think of a lot of things that people in this country are worried about. They’re worried about the economy, they’re worried about the NHS, they’re worried about defence, they’re worried about a whole load of things.

“I do not believe that anybody is worried about a 44 year old buying a cigarette for a 43 year old which is what this legislation comes down to.

“It is completely barmy to be doing this and it won’t last, it won’t survive.”

WATCH ABOVE.