§ Dr. StoateTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has undertaken into the compliance of the tobacco industry with the voluntary code on advertising and the effectiveness of the code. [1143]
§ Ms JowellThe operation of the voluntary agreement on tobacco advertising and promotion is monitored by the Committee for Monitoring Agreements on Tobacco Advertising and Sponsorship, which is composed of equal numbers of representatives of the Government Departments and the tobacco industry under an independent Chairman.
In 1995–96 the Committee commissioned independent consultants to investigate how three aspects of the agreement were being adhered to, namely an analysis of progress towards the industry's undertaking to remove all permanent shopfront advertising material by 31 December 1996, an audit of compliance with the undertaking to place no poster advertising within a 200 metre radius of schools and other places of education for people under 18, and a survey of compliance with the provisions of the Cigarette Sampling Code. In all cases, a high level of compliance was found.
The Committee also arranges for the investigation of complaints submitted by the public. In 1995–96, the Committee received 69 letters of complaint giving details of 119 items thought to be in breach of the voluntary agreement on advertising and promotion. The Committee concluded that 15 items were in breach of the voluntary agreement.