Government sources told The Guardian the prime minister was looking at measures similar to those brought in by New Zealand last December.

The measure reportedly involves steadily increasing the legal smoking age so tobacco would end up never being sold to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009.

It is understood Sunak’s leadership pledge to fine people £10 for missing a GP or hospital appointment may also be back on the table, although this could be politically difficult, reported The Guardian.

Sunak announced the idea during his campaign in the summer 2022.

However, it seems that he had dropped it when he took office last autumn.

A New Zealand-style anti-smoking policy would mean cigarettes would be phased out completely for the next generation, reported The Guardian.