§ Peter Bottomley:To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many new smokers there were (a) under and (b) over 21 in each year since 1997. [131667]
§ Miss Melanie Johnson:The information is not available in the form requested.
In 2001, the General Household Survey's analysis of regular smokers found that 85 per cent. of men and 79 per cent. of women began smoking regularly when aged 19 or less. 15 per cent. of men and 21 per cent. of women began regular smoking aged 20 or more.
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§ Chris Grayling:To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps the Government are taking to increase smoking cessation services to Asian men. [130061]
§ Miss Melanie Johnson:As announced in the NHS Cancer Plan the Department is funding a network of local alliances for action on smoking. These alliances form the bridge between treatment services and local authorities, community groups, businesses, schools, churches etc. and will work with the most deprived sections of their communities to make a difference.
Some local alliances, with Asian communities in their areas, are working to raise the awareness of the risk of smoking for example producing materials in ethnic languages, holding events in community centres and encouraging people to use their local cessation services.
NHS stop smoking services are now well established across England, and are achieving good results. At a local level the services target their local ethnic minority populations. The services are available to help all smokers who want to stop. The services provide counselling and support to smokers in a variety of settings in primary or secondary care, and in the community, to complement the provision of smoking cessation aids such as nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) and bupropion (Zyban).
§ Chris Grayling:To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans his Department has to introduce legislation to ban smoking in sporting venues. [130170]
§ Miss Melanie Johnson:We will continue to encourage the voluntary establishment of smoke-free public places, including sporting venues.