HL Deb 12 March 1984 vol 449 cc623-4WA
Lord Henderson of Brompton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether there is any medical evidence that the taking of snuff is a hazard to health; whether any survey has been made of any disease to which the estimated 500,000 snuff-takers in Britain may be liable due to their taking of snuff; whether any such survey has been made in any other country; and, if so, what were the results.

Lord Glenarthur

There is no evidence that snuff-taking by inhalation, as practised in this country, constitutes a health risk. However, studies of snuff-dipping or the holding of a pinch of snuff in the mouth which is practised in some countries have shown that these practices increase the risk of oral cancer.