§ 18. Mr. Croninasked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he expects to introduce legislation to discourage cigarette smoking.
§ Mr. CrossmanNot this Session.
§ Mr. CroninIn view of the circumstance that the right hon. Gentleman's Department indicates that more than 50,000 people are killed per year by cigarette smoking, would he at least during this Session commence some preliminary work in introducing legislation so that it can be brought in after the next election?
§ Mr. CrossmanWe have been very seriously considering the basis of legislation and whether legislation against advertising is the most effective. Meanwhile I have asked the Health Education Council to concentrate its activity this year in the first place upon an antismoking campaign, which I think has begun, on the hoardings, and which will last for three months. We will assess the results of this campaign very carefully before spending further money.