HC Deb 24 February 1958 vol 583 cc13-4
24. Mr. Leather

asked the Minister of Health what evidence exists to support the statement in the Annual Report of his Department that a breaking away from addiction to tobacco, even after a long period of indulgence, may reduce the risk of lung cancer.

Mr. Walker-Smith

The evidence was referred to in the statement on tobacco smoking and cancer of the lung issued by the Medical Research Council on 27th June, 1957. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy.

Mr. Leather

Would not my right hon. and learned Friend agree that the position is something like this: that if there is a known tendency to cancer in the family and if one is a heavy smoker, obviously the risk is very great; but that if there is no such tendency and one is a moderate smoker, the risk is absolutely negligible? Is it desirable to use an official Government document to spread this kind of terror propaganda about what is still a very debatable point?

Mr. Walker-Smith

I do not think my hon. Friend is using his normally and characteristically well-chosen phraseology when he refers to "terror propaganda". As I see it, my duty is to promulgate to the public the expert advice which we get from the Medical Research Council. Its statement refers to investigations in this country and the United States and it shows that there was a higher mortality among people who continued to smoke than among those who gave it up.

Mr. Lipton

Is it not clear that, despite all the propaganda of the tobacco companies, there is a definitely established connection between cigarette smoking and lung cancer? Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that the only complaint of most people is that the Government are not exerting themselves adequately to inform the public of the risk they are taking?

Mr. Walker-Smith

The facts are as stated by the Medical Research Council. The hon. Gentleman knows that the Government, in association with the local health and education authorities, have taken steps to disseminate this information.

Dr. Summerskill

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that there was publicity on the I.T.V. the other night but that five minutes later there was an attractive advertisement for cigarettes?

Mr. Walker-Smith

I have no responsibility for the I.T.V. programmes, nor did I see that one.

Mr. Leather

Does my right hon. and learned Friend smoke?

Mr. Walker-Smith

Not normally.