§ Mr. Yeoasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he is now able to report the outcome of his discussions with the Tobacco Advisory Council on tobacco product modification.
§ Mr. John PattenA further programme of tobacco product modification has been agreed between the Government and the Tobacco Advisory Council. The heads of the agreement are as follows:
- 1. The industry will continue its longstanding policy of reducing the tar yield of cigarettes. Between 1979 and the end of 1983 the average tar yield of all cigarettes sold fell by 12 per cent. to about 15 mg. It is acknowledged that this rate of progress was influenced by product acceptability and consumer choice. Having regard to these factors in their plans for product modification, the industry's objective is to achieve a further and similar percentage reduction by the end of this agreement, and therefore to reduce the average tar yield, taking account of manufacturer's estimates at 31 December 1987, to about 13 mg. Progress will be reviewed annually with the Health Departments.
- 2. In order to provide a more appropriate framework for further tar reduction the industry agrees to adopt a revised tar group structure to take effect from 1 January 1985 (annex).
- 3. Cigarette brands with a tar yield of less than 18 mg will not be intentionally reformulated to yield 18 mgs or over.
- 4. In support of the tar reduction programme, the industry undertakes from 1 January 1985 not to introduce new brands with a tar level above the sales weighted average for the Low to Middle and Middle tar bands (10 mg but less than 18 mg).
- 5. The industry will continue to print tar group information on cigarette packets and related advertising and will adopt the new definitions from 1 January 1985.
- 6. The industry agrees to supply information on the sales weighted tar, carbon monoxide and nicotine yields for cigarettes sold in the UK, and will discuss this information with the Independent Scientific Committee on Smoking and Health (ISC) and the DHSS in the context of progress in the tar reduction programme.
- 7. The industry will continue with the existing arrangements in relation to the control of substitutes and additives as follows:
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- a. Companies will follow and comply with the guidelines agreed with the ISC on testing and marketing products containing tobacco substitutes and/ or additives;
- b. Companies will notify the DHSS of additives and/or substitutes to which the ISC had given its consent for commercial use, and will inform the DHSS which of these are included in products at the time when the products are marketed for sale to the public in the United Kingdom.
- c. Companies will similarly notify the DHSS when any changes are made to the information given under (b) above.
The above arrangements will be extended to include all new additives in cigarette papers.
8. Subject to a review of progress, the industry will continue to provide over the period of the agreement up to £1 million per annum for independent monitoring research, as proposed by the ISC, into the effects of product modifications. Such sums may be called upon as and when the uncommitted sum available in the Tobacco Products Research Trust falls below £250,000
9. The duration of this agreement will be at least until December 1987 (or not less than 4 years).