§ Ms. WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the health education authority's estimate of the number of premature deaths caused by smoking in the past year in the Stoke-on-Trent, North constituency; and what action she will take to reduce the number of such premature deaths in the future.
§ Dr. MawhinneyThe Health Education Authority estimates that, in the Stoke-on-Trent, North constituency, 225 people die each year because of smoking. The White Paper "Health of the Nation" commits us to ambitious targets to reduce smoking and sets out a detailed strategy to achieve them including action on price, health education and ensuring effective controls on advertising. It also sets out the key role of health authorities in leading action to improve the health of local people including action to reduce smoking.