§ 46. Mr. Chapmanasked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the epidemic proportions of death from lung cancer and in view of the weight of medical opinion on the matter, he will now carry out, as has been done in the case of diphtheria, a national campaign designed to warn people against the dangers of high consumption of cigarettes.
§ Mr. TurtonNo, Sir. I have not yet received final advice on this subject from the Central Health Services Council.
§ Mr. ChapmanIs it not clear, particularly from the correspondence in The Times, that medical opinion now is that there is an association between heavy smoking and lung cancer, and that this has reached epidemic proportions, unlike other kinds of cancer? Is it not time, since this is so dangerous, as was diphtheria some years ago, that the Government took the initiative in a public educational campaign?
§ Mr. TurtonI must rely on the Central Health Services Council and not on The Times. My right hon. Friend made a statement on this subject to the House last June.
§ Dr. SummerskillWhile agreeing with the right hon. Gentleman that The Times is not always a reliable newspaper, may I ask whether he would not accept the figures of the London County Council, which reveal that the mortality from lung cancer in the last ten years, between 1944 and 1954, has doubled? In view of that, does he not regard this as a serious matter to which he should be giving immediate attention?
§ Mr. TurtonYes, but I must first of all, when considering publicity, obtain the advice of the Central Health Services Council, which at the moment is not satisfied that more publicity should be given to this problem.