§ 33. Dr. John Dunwoodyasked the Minister of Health if he will now seek to ban cigarette coupons, limit cigarette advertising and increase considerably the amount of health education provided by his Department in order to ensure that the entire population knows of the risks of death and disease resulting from cigarette smoking.
§ Mr. K. RobinsonI cannot at present add to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Swindon (Mr. Francis Noel-Baker) on 19th July.—[Vol. 750, c. 278.]
§ Dr. DunwoodyWhile welcoming the efforts which we all know my right hon. Friend is making in this direction, will he now consider introducing a financial 44 levy on cigarette manufacturers equal to their expenditure on advertising which would be devoted entirely to anti-smoking education and research?
§ Mr. RobinsonI note my hon. Friend's suggestion, but as the proposals are under consideration by the manufacturers it would not be appropriate for me to comment further at this stage.
§ Sir J. Langford-HoltIs not the right hon. Gentleman aware that if he is successful in his campaign it will be absolutely disastrous for the Chancellor of the Exchequer and, so long as this is the position, the Government's motives will always be suspect in this matter?
§ Mr. RobinsonI do not think there is any need for suspicion of the Government's motives. Certainly mine are quite clear. They are to take all steps open to me to improve the public health.