§ Lord Stoddart of Swindonasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many people attended their Anti-Smoking Summit (ASS) on 14 July; how many persons and organisations present arc in receipt of government subsidy or other public support; what was the total cost of the event; and which persons or organisations were present to represent the 15 million people in the United Kingdom who smoke legally.
§ Baroness Jay of PaddingtonA total of 313 delegates attended the Anti-Smoking Summit on 14 July. At least 50 of the organisations represented by those attending are likely to be in receipt of central or local authority support. Further detail could only be available at disproportionate cost. The cost of the event was £55,748.00 (excluding value added tax). The Office of National Statistics findings (ONS (97) 182) show that 69 per cent. of current smokers say that they would like to stop smoking. The summit was held to examine options for reducing smoking, controlling tobacco consumption and helping those who want to stop smoking to do so. A wide range of interests were represented at the summit—from the media, business, the arts, and sport, to the medical professions and health charities. Also present were representatives of interests likely to be affected by the Government's manifesto commitment to ban tobacco advertising. In addition, national and international experts in tobacco control were asked to examine in detail the options for reducing smoking by pooling their knowledge and experience on what strategies work in practice. The conclusions of the summit will inform the development of a White Paper, to be published later in the year. The White Paper will set out in full the Government's plans for188WA legislative and other action to reduce smoking prevalence and tobacco consumption.