§ Mr. Simsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what information is available to him about the medical effects of the sale, promotion and consumption of Skoal Bandit tobacco sachets in England and Wales; and if he will make a statement;
(2) why the Chief Medical Officer has written to all doctors about the dangers of sucking tobacco contained in a sachet; and if he will make a statement;
(3) If he has yet reached a voluntary agreement with the producers of Skoal Bandits on the marketing of the product; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John Patten[pursuant to his reply, 24 July 1985]: The Chief Medical Officer wrote to doctors following a recommendation by the Department's committee on 775W carcinogenicity, which considered that there was evidence that the use of non-smoked tobacco products within the mouth is causally associated with an increased risk of oral cancer. In his letter he advised that these products should not be used either by smokers trying to give up smoking, or by non-smokers because of the risk to health. The Government reached agreement with the manufacturers in April to restrict the marketing of Skoal Bandits. A copy of the agreement has been placed in the Library.