HL Deb 08 July 1985 vol 466 cc4-6

2.45 p.m.

Lord Airedale

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

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government, in view of their efforts to discourage cigarette smoking, what their attitude is to the advertising of "Superkings" cigarettes with "over £7,000,000 to be won in 'SUPERDEAL' with over a million cash prizes from £1 to the six top prizes of £100,000".

The Earl of Caithness

My Lords, this promotion conforms to the requirements of the voluntary agreement by which such matters are regulated.

Lord Airedale

My Lords, I am much obliged. However, in the next voluntary agreement, when negotiated, will it be made plain that this kind of promotion is not conducive to the Government's campaign to discourage people from smoking cigarettes?

The Earl of Caithness

My Lords, the noble Lord has timed his Question well. In fact, my right honourable friend and the Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Health are meeting the tobacco industry this afternoon. I am sure that the remarks today, plus those made in the debate on 22nd May, will be borne in mind when negotiations continue.

Lord Somers

My Lords, is it not pretty plain, after all these years of having had this publicity about cigarette smoking, that people are going to do what they like, regardless?

The Earl of Caithness

No, my Lords; I beg to differ from the noble Lord. The figures show that there has been a steady decline in smoking.

Lord Ennals

My Lords, will the noble Earl accept my pleasure that there is to be this meeting this afternoon? Did he give an assurance that the point made by the noble Lord, Lord Airedale, in his Question will be referred to the tobacco industry? Furthermore, has the noble Earl the Minister seen the more flagrant breach, in my view, of the voluntary agreement, which I believe has almost collapsed, in the advertisements that appeared at the end of last week linking cigarette smoking with tennis? This is precisely at a time when television viewers have been seeing on their screens four of the greatest tennis players in the world, all of whom are non-smokers.

The Earl of Caithness

No, my Lords; I do not believe that there has been a collapse of the voluntary system. I believe that it has worked well. So far as I understand, all advertisements have conformed to the present code.

Lord Ennals

My Lords, what about this one?

Lord Rea

My Lords, is the Minister aware that if cigarettes were to be put on the market now for the first time (supposing that there had not been a habit over the last two centuries) it is extremely unlikely, using current toxicological techniques, that they would be granted a product licence? In view of that, can he not see that from now on, each year, there is a progressive tightening-up of the voluntary agreement with the industry—and I join with my noble friend Lord Ennals in expressing pleasure that a new agreement is about to be worked out—towards the day when all forms of tobacco promotion will be finally phased out?

The Earl of Caithness

My Lords, the first part of the noble Lord's question is, I believe, hypothetical and difficult to answer as a result. With regard to the second part of his question, I am not sure how long the new agreement is going to last. The last one existed for a number of years. It is therefore difficult to do this every year, as the noble Lord wishes.

Lord Ennals

My Lords, will the noble Earl permit me to press him further on the question that I have just put? Surely it is part of the voluntary code that there should be no suggestion that the smoking of cigarettes is in some way linked with physical prowess and fitness. Surely, if linked with tennis, it is precisely that. Does the noble Earl not agree that this is in conflict with the voluntary agreement?

The Earl of Caithness

No, my Lords. There are a number of points in the voluntary agreement. In fact, it is quite a lengthy document, with an appendix attached. So far as I understand it, the advertisement does not contravene the voluntary code.

Lord Diamond

My Lords, is it the Government's intention to consult Parliament before this agreement is finally endorsed?

The Earl of Caithness

My Lords, so far as I understand, it is not. However, if I am wrong, I shall of course write to the noble Lord.

Lord Jenkins of Putney

My Lords, will the noble Earl reconsider that answer? Is it not the case that since the voluntary code does not seem to be working very well in one or two particular details, it would be desirable for the House, or Parliament generally, to have a look at it?

The Earl of Caithness

My Lords, as I have said, if I am wrong I shall write to the noble Lord—and doubtless a copy will also be sent to the noble Lord, Lord Jenkins.

Lord Diamond

My Lords, I hope that the noble Earl will forgive me for addressing a further question to him. Does he realise that if he is wrong we are all perfectly happy, but if he is right—and the Minister has the habit of being right—then we are all very unhappy that Parliament should not be consulted before this most important decision is finally reached?

The Earl of Caithness

My Lords, as the noble Lord knows, I am not certain that what I said was true. I shall of course pass his remarks on to my right honourable friend.