HC Deb 25 March 1986 vol 94 cc779-80
10. Mr. Janner

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will take steps to seek to reduce the level of smoking among schoolchildren and young persons.

Mr. Fowler

We are currently spending £1 million in two television regions on a test campaign designed specifically to persuade young people not to smoke. In addition, the new voluntary agreement which I have reached with the tobacco industry includes specific measures designed to protect young people.

Mr. Janner

Does the Minister not appreciate that these measures are pathetic and inadequate to meet what remains the plague of smoking by young people? How many people in the country died of tobacco-related diseases last year, how many of them started when they were youngsters, and when will he ban tobacco advertising?

Mr. Fowler

The hon. and learned Gentleman will see from the steps announced yesterday that we are taking further steps to seek to dissuade young people particularly from taking up smoking. There is nothing between us in that respect. I believe that the agreement which we have reached will, in its many details, effect that purpose.

Mr. Sims

Is my right hon. Friend aware that while the agreement does not go as far as some of us would like, it is welcome as far as it goes, particularly in the emphasis that it puts on dissuading children and young people from taking up smoking? Is he satisfied that the provisions in the new agreement are adequate to control the practice of tobacco companies using their name to promote leisurewear, sportswear, concerts and holidays, all of which are aimed at the youth market?

Mr. Fowler

Yes. There is further work to be done about sports sponsorship and sponsorship of that sort, but we are seeking to control that as far as we can. The 10 points on which we have reached agreement will have the effect of further reducing smoking.

Dr. M. S. Miller

Will the right hon. Gentleman please answer the question posed to him by my hon. and learned Friend the Member for Leicester, West (Mr. Janner). The right hon. Gentleman has the figures. How many people died last year of tobacco-related diseases?

Mr. Fowler

One of the warnings gives the answer to that. The hon. Gentleman can see for himself that more than 30,000 people die each year in the United Kingdom from lung cancer. That will be one of the new warnings on cigarette packets. That is right.

Mr. Bellingham

Is my right hon. Friend aware that one of the main reasons for the big increase in smoking in schools is the reluctance and inability of headmasters to apply the necessary sanctions? What advice will my right hon. Friend give to headmasters?

Mr. Fowler

That is one part of it, but we can help in other parts by the restrictions that we are putting on poster advertising, by the other restrictions that will take place, and by the advertising that the tobacco industry itself is carrying out to dissuade retailers from selling cigarettes to young children under the age of 16.

Ms. Harman

Is the Secretary of State aware of the growing concern about the sale of Skoal Bandits, a tobacco substance sold for chewing? Is he aware that his chief medical officer has said that Skoal Bandits can cause disfigurement or death among children? Is he aware of the evidence from America which shows that the chewing of Skoal Bandits by children can cause cancer of the tongue, lips and mouth? Instead of seeking voluntary agreement, which clearly has not worked in America, will he ban the sale of Skoal Bandits to children?

Mr. Fowler

The same kind of restrictions apply to the advertising of Skoal Bandits as to the advertising of cigarettes in general. We are considering the evidence provided in the BBC's "That's Life" programme on Sunday—[Interruption]—which suggested that the advertising agreement had not been taken into account. Of course, we are concerned and shall seek to act on that.

Mr. Speaker

Order. I ask the House to listen to the questions and the answers.