HC Deb 05 March 1956 vol 549 cc1697-8
37. Mr. Gresham Cooke

asked the Minister of Health, as representing the Lord President of the Council, if he will make a statement on the most recent results of the researches into lung cancer.

Mr. Turton

As has already been announced, the Medical Research Council is at present studying the chemistry of tobacco smoke in order to determine whether there are constituents which may have the effect of producing cancer of the lung: other factors such as atmospheric pollution, are also being studied. Benzpyrene, a substance known to be carcinogenic, has been isolated in minute quantities both from cigarette smoke and from polluted atmosphere, but it has not been established whether this agent is one of the causes of cancer of the lung.

Mr. Gresham Cooke

As one who smokes cigarettes and who has some fear of getting lung cancer in due course, can my right hon. Friend tell me whether he thinks that in the foreseeable future, the next year or two, it will be possible to isolate an element such as saltpetre or benzpyrene and trace whether that is or is not the cause of lung cancer?

Mr. Turton

It is quite impossible to make forecasts about the progress of research. What is absolutely clear is that benzpyrene has been shown to be carcinogenic to animals and must be assumed to be carcinogenic to men. But it is possible to get benzpyrene, not only out of tobacco smoke, but out of burning wood and cellulose, and also by burning both petrol and diesel oil.

Mr. Chapman

Since the ratio of liability to lung cancer of people who live in clean air, the country dwellers, compared with those who live in really polluted air, the town dwellers, is only one to two whereas the ratio of excessive smokers to non-smokers is fifty to one, is that not sufficient evidence, for the time being, at least to warn people against the dangers of excessive smoking?

Mr. Turton

The present Minister of Labour said last year that what has been shown was that there was a causal connection between smoking and lung cancer. That we know. Therefore, any wise hon. Member who is smoking to excess would be well advised to cease doing so.

Mr. Blenkinsop

Has not the time now come to give more information on this subject to the general public as it is, after all, largely a question of health education?

Mr. Turton

In these matters, I must take the advice of bodies set up to advise me on these problems, and I answered a Question on that matter last week.

Dr. Stross

Is it not a fact that the Minister's Advisory Committee has gone on record as saying that the Minister of Health should at regular intervals give advice on this question of excessive cigarette smoking? Why does the Minister not take that advice?

Mr. Turton

I answered a Question on that subject last week. I think that the Advisory Committee is meeting again next week.