HC Deb 11 May 1970 vol 801 cc214-5W
70. Mr. Pavitt

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will take steps to establish a standing committee to advise him on the hazards to health of smoking tobacco, tobacco substitutes and any mixture of tobacco and tobacco substitutes;

(2) if he will consult with the tobacco companies and chemical companies at present engaged in producing a tobacco substitute which does not lead to cancer of the lungs in order to arrange for comprehensive clinical testing;

(3) what arrangements he has made to assess the consequences to health of smoking cigarettes containing tobacco substitutes other than those used in herbal cigarettes.

Mr. Crossman:

The hazards of tobacco smoking are already well known. As regards tobacco substitutes, the Medical Research Council is at my request calling a meeting of independent experts to evaluate the tests used and the evidence supplied by the manufacturers of the new smoking materials. I shall consider what further action is desirable when I have received their report.