Last night, police arrested a 44-year old. He confessed to lighting a cigarette.

This could be England's future. This week politicians voted to ban smoking. If it passes into law, the ban will make it illegalAgainst the law. for anyone born in 2009 or later to buy tobaccoA substance smoked in cigarettes. It contains nicotine, which is addictive. products.

Youth smoking has a long history. Up to 90% of smokers worldwide begin as teenagers.

But soon, if you are 15 or younger, you will never be allowed to smoke. It is hoped that eventually, no-one will smoke at all.

The law is supported by the leaders of both major political partiesA group of people with a broadly similar set of political ideas, who work together to get themselves elected.. But it has sparked debate about the sort of country people want. Former prime ministerA prime minister is the head of government in a country with a parliamentary system.  Boris Johnson moaned: "The party of Winston ChurchillThe British prime minister during World War Two, and later from 1951 to 1955. wants to ban cigars? It's just mad." Winston Churchill was a famous smoker.

Almost everyone knows that smoking is harmful. It costs lots of money to treat smoking-related health problems, and smoke is also bad for the atmosphereThe layer of gases surrounding a planet or moon, held in place by that planet's gravity. Small planets and moons have weak gravitational fields, and therefore only a very thin atmosphere..

But some say people should still have the freedom to smoke if they want to. They worry that if politicians can ban smoking, they could also ban other things: alcohol, driving, perhaps even praying.

Yet many think it is a good thing that politicians are stepping in. Smokers find it very difficult to stop, even though they know it is bad. The governmentThe group of people who govern - or lead - the country. can stop future generations from facing this problem.

Should we welcome a smoking ban?

Yes! We all know how bad smoking is for your health. The government can make sure that young people never harm their health this way.

No! We should be allowed to make our own choices, even if they are bad for us. If the government wants to stop smoking, they can put up taxesThere are three main ways for governments to obtain money: print it, borrow it or collect taxes. so cigarettes cost more to buy.

Illegal - Against the law.

Tobacco - A substance smoked in cigarettes. It contains nicotine, which is addictive.

Political parties - A group of people with a broadly similar set of political ideas, who work together to get themselves elected.

Prime minister - A prime minister is the head of government in a country with a parliamentary system. 

Winston Churchill - The British prime minister during World War Two, and later from 1951 to 1955.

Atmosphere - The layer of gases surrounding a planet or moon, held in place by that planet's gravity. Small planets and moons have weak gravitational fields, and therefore only a very thin atmosphere.

Government - The group of people who govern - or lead - the country.

Taxes - There are three main ways for governments to obtain money: print it, borrow it or collect taxes.