HC Deb 19 June 1967 vol 748 cc1122-4
59. Dr. John Dunwoody

asked the Minister of Health if he will take steps to stop the development of a cigarette coupon war between the cigarette manufacturers.

60. Mr. Frank Allaun

asked the Minister of Health what action he proposes to take to prevent the implementation of recent proposals to extend gift-coupon schemes aimed at increasing cigarette sales, in view of their proved connection with lung cancer.

Mr. Snow

My right hon. Friend is considering what further steps can be taken.

Dr. Dunwoody

Does not my hon. Friend agree that the irresponsible action taken by Gallahers last week shows a callous and cynical indifference to the death rate from cancer of the lung? Over 30,000 people will die in this country this year. Many of them would like to give up the habit which is causing the disease from which they will die. Will he assure the House that if a cigarette coupon war does start he will take action to ban cigarette coupons?

Mr. Snow

There is no doubt but that the discouragement of cigarette smoking has now been prejudiced by commercial rivalry. My right hon. Friend is awaiting advice from the highest medical authority on certain conclusions which were reached by the industry's own research council.

Mr. Frank Allaun

As the Minister's efforts at voluntary limitation have been rejected both by Imperials and Gallahers, will the Government now consider legislative steps? Is it not obvious that this £25 million a year scheme would not be introduced if it did not have the effect of increasing sales?

Mr. Snow

Such steps would be a matter for my right hon. Friend to consider, and it would be wrong if I were to give the impression what steps should follow the recommendations of the industry's own research committee or of the Minister's own advisers is 100 per cent. certain. The question of the steps which are needed needs very careful consideration.

Earl of Dalkeith

Does the Parliamentary Secretary agree that the Government could serve the public interest better by taking more active steps to investigate possible remedies which would assist smokers to give up smoking and that they could indulge in more research and more publicity of remedies which are available?

Mr. Snow

I should have thought that the Government's publicity campaign on smoking was a very successful one. The need for more research has never been a conditioning factor for solving this intractable problem.

Mr. Francis Noel-Baker

My hon. Friend will remember that the Minister was good enough to receive a deputation of distinguished doctors and others organised by the Advertising Inquiry Council some time ago. Would he agree to receive a similar deputation in the near future before he decides what further steps can be taken?

Mr. Snow

I think that my right hon. Friend would be very pleased to receive any proposition from my hon. Friend. As to receiving further deputations, it may be advisable to wait advice from the high medical authority to which I have referred.