§ Mr. CummingsTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the impact on UK tobacco manufacturers of the WHO Framework Convention for Tobacco Control. [133831]
§ Yvette CooperIt is too early to say what the likely impact of the Convention on employment and exports will be, as this depends on the content of the Convention, which is yet to be negotiated. Provisional texts of draft elements for the Convention have been drawn up and are being considered at the First Session of the Inter Governmental Negotiating Body in Geneva between 16–21 October. Negotiations are unlikely to be concluded before 2002.
§ Mr. CummingsTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will conduct an economic impact assessment of the WHO Framework Convention for Tobacco Control; and if he will make a statement. [133835]
§ Yvette CooperIt is too early to do this at present but we will do so when we have a clearer idea of what commitments the UK may wish to enter into.
§ Mr. CummingsTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions he has had with the World Health Organisation about the private sector funding of its Framework Convention on Tobacco Control; and if he will list those companies which have contributed. [133832]
§ Yvette CooperWe have had no such discussions.
84W
§ Mr. CummingsTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what Her Majesty's Government's objectives are in discussions on the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control; and if he will make a statement. [133884]
§ Yvette CooperWe support the World Health Organisation's (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control and believe that it can help to reduce the damage to health caused by tobacco products worldwide. The WHO estimates that tobacco kills four million people each year and that this figure is likely to increase substantially, particularly in the developing world.
The United Kingdom intends to play an active part in negotiating a convention which in particular will:
make a difference by imposing obligations on its signatories, but which is not so ambitious that few countries sign up;tackles areas where international action is necessary and which can impact on consumption in the UK—in particular advertising and smuggling;supports other countries in developing tobacco control strategies;does not impose over-prescriptive obligations in areas which we consider to be for national decisions.
§ Mr. CummingsTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what meetings he has held in preparation for the negotiations on the WHO Framework Convention for Tobacco Control. [133882]
§ Yvette CooperMinisters have consulted colleagues from other countries. Officials have participated in all WHO and European Union preparatory meetings on the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.
§ Mr. CummingsTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the impact of the adoption of the WHO Framework Convention for Tobacco Control on jobs in each constituency. [133826]
§ Yvette CooperIt is too early to say what the likely impact of the Convention on employment and exports will be, as this depends on the content of the Convention, which is yet to be negotiated.
§ Mr. CummingsTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions he has had with UK tobacco companies about the economic impact on companies and the communities in which they are located of the possible adoption of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. [133833]
§ Yvette CooperWe have had no such discussions.