§ Mr. MossTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans the Government have to discourage smoking by those aged under 16 in Northern Ireland in 1999–2000. [71536]
§ Mr. McFallThe Government set out their proposals for a comprehensive strategy to tackle smoking across the United Kingdom in the White Paper"Smoking Kills".the White Paper identifies a range of measures that will help protect young people. These include:
474W
- minimal tobacco advertising in shops;
- tough enforcement on under age sales;
- proof of age cards; and
- strong rules on the siting of cigarette vending machines.
A consultation paper setting out a proposed Northern Ireland implementation programme will be produced later this year and will include measures to ensure a regional focus for the proposed national public information campaign, a prime target of which will be young people.
§ Mr. MossTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the incidence was of cigarette smoking among(a) children under 16 and (b) adults in 1998 in Northern Ireland. [71535]
§ Mr. McFallThe latest available data for children's smoking are from 1997–98 and are available only for children aged 10 to 16. The latest available data for adults are from 1996–97. The incidence of cigarette smoking in Northern Ireland was(a) 19% among children aged 10 to 16–17% males and 21% females—and (b) 29% among adults—31% males and 27% females.