HL Deb 25 January 1966 vol 272 cc1-2

2.36 p.m.

LORD AIREDALE

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, since the Commissioners of H.M. Customs and Excise report their inability to detect the expected significant fall in cigarette smoking during 1964–65, they remain satisfied with their poster campaign aimed at discouraging this practice.]

BARONESS PHILLIPS

My Lords, it was never expected that a campaign to educate the public about the dangers of smoking could bring quick results. We have evidence from our social surveys of increasing understanding by the public of these dangers, and there has been a small drop since 1961 in the proportion of the adult population who are cigarette smokers.

The campaign does not consist only of displaying posters. For example, there are talks in schools, the showing of films, and advertisements in young people's magazines; and these are important features. The campaign is conducted locally by local health and education authorities, helped and encouraged by Her Majesty's Government.

LORD AIREDALE

My Lords, I am very much obliged to the noble Baroness for her Answer, particularly as I understand that this is the first occasion on which a noble Baroness has answered a Question from the Government Dispatch Box. Having said that, may I ask the noble Lady this question? Would she be happy to address any public gathering and say, "Hands up all those who have yet to see one of the Government's anti-cigarette posters."?

BARONESS PHILLIPS

My Lords, I would merely say to the noble Lord, as I am sure he realises, that the campaign has been directed at the young people. Were the gathering that he envisages a gathering of school children or young people, I should think that a substantial number of hands would be raised.

LORD NEWTON

My Lords, may I ask the noble Baroness if she knows whether the local education authorities are fully co-operating with the local health authorities in agreeing to the posters' being put up in the schools?

BARONESS PHILLIPS

My Lords, the noble Lord will appreciate that I do not have figures on this point, but I will certainly get them for him. So far as I know from my own local connections, the co-operation is good.

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