HC Deb 04 November 1968 vol 772 cc462-4
11. Dr. John Dunwoody

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what plans he has to introduce legisla- tion to reduce the dangers to the public resulting from the consumption of cigarettes.

14. Mr. Sheldon

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what proposals he plans to make to reduce the incidence of lung cancer.

Mr. Crossman

There is no doubt the incidence of lung cancer would be greatly reduced if older people stopped smoking cigarettes and if young people never got the habit. As the House is aware, the Government intend in due course to introduce legislation to restrict cigarette advertising and sales promotion. Meanwhile our most urgent task is to increase the effectiveness of deterrent propaganda among young people.

Dr. John Dunwoody

Does my right hon. Friend agree that the report of the Chief Medical Officer of Health makes very gloomy reading, and paints a deteriorating picture? Does he further agree that if we cannot cut this habit more than half a million of today's population will die directly as a result of it? In view of the number of people buying cut-price cigarettes, will my right hon. Friend look urgently at the question of advertising, and possibly at the question of differential tax changes to help people stop smoking cigarettes?

Mr. Crossman

On the first part of that question, the answer is "Yes". That is the logical conclusion to be drawn from what Sir George Godber says. No doubt it is true, and it is an appalling fact. As regards the second part of the question, the suggestion for taxing cigarette advertising or imposing restrictions on it is fraught with difficulties. I am looking at it extremely seriously, but clearly legislation cannot come during this Session.

Mr. Sheldon

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the recent figures of deaths from lung cancer are causing increasing awareness of this problem, and that people will soon become angry about the numbers dying because of this habit? Will my right hon. Friend take up urgently with the Chancellor of the Exchequer not only the question of a differential tax, where a solution can be found if the will is there, but also the question of withdrawing concessions to travellers abroad who are allowed to bring back up to 200 cigarettes tax-free?

Mr. Crossman

I shall consider both those proposals, and also talk to the Chancellor about them. As for the threat that people will get angry, I hope that they will.

Mr. John Hall

Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that, apart from the effect of smoking cigarettes, air pollution has a great deal to do with the incidence of lung cancer? Will he take steps to make more effective the existing legislation on air pollution?

Mr. Crossman

That is rather a different question, but it is not my impression that it is wise to try to give people the impression that cigarette smoking is not the major cause of the deaths, and not only from lung cancer, but also from bronchitis which is greatly under-estimated as one of the deleterious effects of cigarette smoking.

Sir G. Nabarro

Whilst sympathising with both original questioners, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he recognises that the simplest, most economical, and most effective way of giving this warning to the smoking public is to print the warning on every cigarette packet sold in this country, which would cost the Government nothing, and would be graphic and illustrative of the dangers?

Mr. Crossman

I think I am right in saying that in the United States something of that sort is done. I am new here, but I shall consider whether that is really a desirable suggestion.