Nigel Farage declared that the “spirit of Oliver Cromwell is alive and well” as he slammed a proposed smoking ban. The Reform UK leader said he “likes a smoke” as he expressed his opposition to the Government’s Tobacco and Vapes Bill that would prohibit smoking outside schools, children’s playgrounds and hospitals.

The Bill, which MPs backed at its third reading 366 votes to 41, also aims to create a smoke-free generation with anyone born after January 1, 2009 to be prevented from legally smoking, by gradually raising the age at which tobacco can be bought. The Clacton MP told the Commons: “I have to say, I find the tone of moral superiority in this chamber this afternoon almost unbearable.

“You clearly believe you are better human beings than those outside of here who choose to pursue activities that you perhaps would not.

“Well, it’s a bit of a shock, I suppose, to some of you, but there are some of us that like a smoke. We do. We even go for a few pints at a pub. We have a punt on the horses. I even attempted to have the odd doughnut, I know that’s really perhaps the naughtiest of all.

“Because we want to have fun. We want to make our own minds up. You can educate us. You can tell us. You can give us the facts. But the idea that this place should make those decisions for other people, well it sort of shows me that the spirit of Oliver Cromwell is alive and well.”

Mr Farage described “the idea that from 2009 nobody could buy tobacco products, but those born in 2010 could” as “just another aspect to two-tier Britain”.

He said: “I’ve been hearing for decades that there’ll be a war on drugs. Where’s it getting us? Drug use is rocketing, Class A drugs in particular, proliferating everywhere, with all the associated crime.

“And here’s the danger. Here is the danger: an ounce of tobacco is now more expensive in a shop if purchased legally, believe it or not, than an ounce of silver. And so already we have a rocketing trade in illegal cigarettes and loose tobacco.”

He went on to say: “Do not drive tobacco into the hands of the criminals. Do not create a new black market.

“I totally agree with the minister. This is not an activity we should encourage. We’re not keen for our kids to do it, but please treat us as grown ups. Educate us. Let us make our choices. Don’t let the criminals win.”

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Before his contribution, Mr Farage declared an interest as the co-founder of Action on World Health, an organisation dedicated “to reform or replace” the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Conservative MP for South Holland and The Deepings, Sir John Hayes, also objected to the Bill on the grounds it would lead to “a huge surge in illegal tobacco”.

Health minister Ashley Dalton urged MPs not to listen to the “tobacco industry’s arguments and myths about how people should be free to make their own choices”.

She added: “Smoking kills two-thirds of its users, three-quarters of people wish they’d never started smoking, and the majority want to quit. That’s not freedom of choice, the tobacco industry took away their choice with addiction, usually at a young age.

“In relation to smoke-free places, we’ve been clear, in England we intend to consult on extending smoke-free outdoor places to outside schools, children’s playgrounds and hospitals – but not outdoor hospitality settings, at this time.”