HC Deb 27 June 1984 vol 62 c453W
Mrs. Renée Short

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations he has had from medical practitioners about prescribing nicotine substitute chewing gum on the National Health Service for smokers who wish to stop.

Mr. John Patten

The Department has received letters from 12 individual doctors on this subject: nine in favour of and three against nicotine chewing gum being available on National Health Service prescription.

Mrs. Renée Short

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the annual cost to the National Health Service of treating smoking-related diseases.

Mr. Patten

I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Tottenham (Mr. Atkinson) on 22 March at column582.